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Anatomy & Physiology: Histology and Tissue Types

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What is histology?

    Histology is the study of tissues and how they are arranged into organs.

  • What defines a tissue?

    A tissue is a group of similar cells and cell products from the same embryonic region that work together to perform a specific structural or physiological role.

  • Name the four primary tissue classes.

    The four primary tissues are epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissue.

  • What are the two main forms of epithelial tissue?

    Covering and lining epithelium forms outer layers and lines cavities; glandular epithelium forms glands.

  • List the main functions of epithelial tissue.

    Protection, secretion, excretion, absorption, filtration, and sensation.

  • What are the five special characteristics of epithelial tissue?

    Polarity, specialized contacts, supported by connective tissue, avascular but innervated, and regeneration.

  • Define polarity in epithelial tissue.

    Polarity means the epithelial cells have an apical surface exposed to the cavity or surface and a basal surface attached to underlying tissue, differing in structure and function.

  • What are tight junctions and desmosomes in epithelial tissue?

    Tight junctions prevent molecules from passing between cells; desmosomes bind cells together and resist tearing.

  • How is epithelial tissue supported?

    It is supported by connective tissue via the basement membrane, which includes the basal lamina and reticular lamina.

  • Why is epithelial tissue avascular but innervated?

    It has no blood vessels and is nourished by diffusion from underlying connective tissue but contains nerve endings.

  • What is the regenerative capacity of epithelial tissue?

    Epithelial cells have a high capacity to regenerate, stimulated by loss of polarity and broken contacts due to damage.

  • How are epithelial tissues named?

    By number of layers: simple (one layer) or stratified (multiple layers), and by cell shape: squamous, cuboidal, or columnar.

  • Describe simple squamous epithelium.

    Single layer of flattened cells for rapid diffusion; found in air sacs of lungs and lining blood vessels.

  • Describe simple cuboidal epithelium.

    Single layer of cube-shaped cells; functions in secretion and absorption; found in kidney tubules and glands.

  • Describe simple columnar epithelium.

    Single layer of tall cells with microvilli and goblet cells; functions in absorption and secretion; found in the intestine.

  • What is pseudostratified columnar epithelium?

    Single layer of cells with varying heights, often ciliated; secretes mucus and propels it; found in respiratory tract.

  • Describe stratified squamous epithelium.

    Multiple layers with basal cells cuboidal or columnar and surface cells squamous; protects against abrasion; found in skin and esophagus.

  • What is transitional epithelium?

    Resembles both stratified squamous and cuboidal; stretches to permit urine storage; found in bladder and ureters.

  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.

    Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into blood; exocrine glands secrete onto body surfaces or cavities via ducts.

  • What are the main components of connective tissue?

    Ground substance, fibers, and cells make up connective tissue; ground substance and fibers form the extracellular matrix.

  • Name the four main classes of connective tissue.

    Connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, and blood.

  • What are fibroblasts and fibrocytes?

    Fibroblasts are immature connective tissue cells that produce matrix; fibrocytes are mature cells that maintain the matrix.

  • What role do mast cells play in connective tissue?

    Mast cells detect foreign microorganisms and initiate inflammation by releasing chemicals like heparin and histamine.

  • Describe cartilage as a connective tissue.

    Cartilage is tough, flexible, avascular tissue with matrix secreted by chondroblasts; chondrocytes reside in lacunae.

  • Name the three types of cartilage.

    Hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage.

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue?

    Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle tissues.

  • What is the primary function of muscular tissue?

    Muscular tissue contracts to cause movement and exert force on tissues and organs.

  • What is nervous tissue responsible for?

    Nervous tissue enables internal communication through neurons and supporting cells.