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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Structure and Function

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Terms in this set (33)

  • Tissue

    A group of structurally and functionally related cells and their external environment that together perform common functions.

  • Histology

    The study of the normal structure of tissues.

  • Four Primary Tissue Types

    Epithelial, Connective, Muscular, and Nervous tissues.

  • Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

    Material surrounding cells in a tissue, providing strength, directing cell placement, regulating cell activity, and holding cells in place.

  • Components of ECM

    Ground Substance and Protein Fibers.

  • Ground Substance

    Gel-like substance containing extracellular fluid, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), proteoglycans, and glycoproteins.

  • Protein Fibers in ECM

    Collagen fibers (tensile strength), elastic fibers (stretch and recoil), and reticular fibers (support scaffold).

  • Marfan Syndrome

    Genetic disorder causing defective fibrillin-1, leading to dysfunctional elastic fibers and symptoms like tall stature and aortic dilation.

  • Cell Junctions

    Connections between neighboring cells: Tight junctions (seal), desmosomes (mechanical stress distribution), and gap junctions (small molecule passage).

  • Functions of Epithelial Tissue

    Protection, immune defense, secretion, selective transport, and sensation.

  • Basement Membrane

    ECM layer beneath epithelial cells anchoring them to connective tissue; composed of basal lamina and reticular lamina.

  • Epithelial Cell Surfaces

    Apical (exposed to extracellular space), basal (contacts basement membrane), and lateral (contacts adjacent cells).

  • Classification of Epithelia by Layers

    Simple (one layer), stratified (multiple layers), pseudostratified (single layer appearing multilayered).

  • Classification of Epithelia by Cell Shape

    Squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), columnar (tall and elongated).

  • Simple Squamous Epithelium

    Single layer of flat cells; allows rapid diffusion; found in lungs, blood vessels, and serous membranes.

  • Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

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

  • Simple Columnar Epithelium

    Single layer of tall cells; may have microvilli or cilia; involved in absorption and secretion; found in intestines and uterine tubes.

  • Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

    Single layer with nuclei at different heights; mostly ciliated; includes mucus-secreting goblet cells; found in respiratory tract.

  • Stratified Squamous Epithelium

    Multiple layers with flat apical cells; protects against abrasion; nonkeratinized found in mouth and esophagus.

  • Exocrine Glands

    Secrete products onto epithelial surfaces via ducts; include unicellular (goblet cells) and multicellular glands.

  • Types of Exocrine Secretion

    Merocrine (exocytosis), holocrine (cell ruptures), and apocrine (cytoplasm pinched off).

  • Connective Tissue Functions

    Connecting and binding tissues, support, protection, and transport (e.g., blood).

  • Cells of Connective Tissue Proper

    Fibroblasts (produce fibers and ECM), adipocytes (fat storage), mast cells (inflammation), and phagocytes (immune defense).

  • Loose (Areolar) Connective Tissue

    Gel-like ground substance with all fiber types; supports epithelium and houses blood vessels.

  • Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

    Collagen fibers arranged irregularly; resists tension in multiple directions; found in dermis and organ capsules.

  • Dense Regular Collagenous Connective Tissue

    Parallel collagen fibers; resists tension in one direction; found in tendons and ligaments.

  • Adipose Tissue

    Fat tissue for insulation, shock absorption, energy storage; white adipose stores fat, brown adipose produces heat.

  • Cartilage

    Tough, flexible tissue with solid gel-like ECM; types include hyaline, fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage.

  • Bone ECM Composition

    35% organic (collagen and osteoid) and 65% inorganic (calcium phosphate crystals).

  • Bone Cells

    Osteoblasts (build bone), osteocytes (maintain bone), osteoclasts (resorb bone).

  • Muscle Tissue Types

    Skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated, intercalated discs), and smooth (involuntary, nonstriated).

  • Nervous Tissue Cells

    Neurons (generate and conduct impulses) and neuroglial cells (support neurons and maintain environment).

  • Tissue Repair Mechanisms

    Regeneration (replacement with same cell type) and fibrosis (scar tissue formation by fibroblasts).