Skip to main content
Back

Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Types and Characteristics

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/21

Terms in this set (21)

  • What is a tissue?
    Tissue is a group of similar cells with a common function.
  • Name the four major types of tissues in the body.
    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissues.
  • What are the main functions of epithelial tissue?
    Protection, secretion, absorption, and excretion.
  • What distinguishes epithelial tissue from others?
    Lack of blood vessels, cells readily divide, and cells are tightly packed.
  • What are the three types of intercellular junctions?
    Tight junctions, Desmosomes, and Gap junctions.
  • What is the function of tight junctions?
    Close space between cells by fusing cell membranes, preventing passage between cells.
  • What is the general characteristic of simple squamous epithelium?
    Single layer of thin, flat cells allowing easy passage of substances; found in air sacs and capillaries.
  • Where is simple cuboidal epithelium found and what is its function?
    Lines kidney tubules, thyroid follicles, and gland ducts; functions in secretion and absorption.
  • Describe pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
    Single layer of cells appearing layered, nuclei at different levels, often with cilia and goblet cells; lines respiratory passages.
  • What is the function of stratified squamous epithelium?
    Protection; found in outer skin layer and linings of oral cavity, vagina, and anal canal.
  • What is transitional epithelium and where is it found?
    Many layers of cube-shaped and elongated cells that stretch; lines urinary bladder, ureters, and part of urethra.
  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.
    Endocrine glands secrete into tissue fluid or blood; exocrine glands secrete into ducts opening onto surfaces.
  • Name the three types of exocrine gland secretions.
    Merocrine (exocytosis), Apocrine (loss of part of cell), Holocrine (whole cell disintegrates).
  • What are the general characteristics of connective tissue?
    Most abundant tissue by weight, cells farther apart with extracellular matrix, good blood supply, and ability to divide.
  • List the three types of fibers produced by fibroblasts.
    Collagen fibers (strong, flexible), Elastic fibers (stretchable), Reticular fibers (thin, supportive networks).
  • What are the main functions of connective tissue?
    Bind structures, support, protect, fill spaces, store fat, produce blood cells, defend against infection, and repair tissue.
  • Describe the three types of cartilage.
    Hyaline (most common, fine collagen), Elastic (flexible, elastic fibers), Fibrocartilage (tough, many collagen fibers).
  • What are the two types of bone tissue?
    Compact bone (dense, osteons) and Spongy bone (lighter, bony plates with marrow spaces).
  • What are the formed elements of blood and their functions?
    Red blood cells (transport gases), White blood cells (defend infection), Platelets (blood clotting).
  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and their characteristics?
    Skeletal (striated, voluntary), Cardiac (striated, involuntary, intercalated discs), Smooth (non-striated, involuntary).
  • What is the main function of nervous tissue?
    Conduct impulses for coordination, regulation, integration, and sensory reception.