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Tissues and Histology - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What are tissues?
    Groups of cells that work together to carry out specialized functions.
  • What are the four adult tissue types?
    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nervous tissue.
  • What is the purpose of histologic sections?
    Tissues are sliced, preserved, and stained for microscopic viewing to study their structure.
  • Name the three types of histologic tissue sections.
    Longitudinal, Cross, and Oblique sections.
  • What are the two main components of all tissues?
    Cells and Extracellular Matrix (ECM).
  • What are the three types of protein fibers in the ECM?
    Collagenous (thick and thin), Reticular, and Elastic fibers.
  • What is the function of tight junctions in tissues?
    They prevent leaks between cells by sealing the space between them.
  • What role do gap junctions play in tissues?
    They form channels that allow cell-to-cell communication.
  • What are desmosomes and their function?
    Desmosomes attach to intermediate filaments and provide mechanical strength between cells.
  • List two main types of epithelial tissue.
    Covering and lining epithelium and glandular epithelium.
  • What are the common shapes of epithelial cells?
    Squamous, Columnar, Cuboidal, and Transitional (variable shape).
  • What are the three types of epithelial layering?
    Simple, Stratified, and Pseudostratified.
  • Difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
    Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into blood; exocrine glands use ducts to release secretions onto surfaces.
  • Name the three types of exocrine gland secretions.
    Merocrine (exocytosis), Apocrine (part of cell shed), and Holocrine (whole cell ruptures).
  • What are fibroblasts and their function?
    Large, flat connective tissue cells that produce fibers in the ECM.
  • What is the role of mast cells in connective tissue?
    They store and release histamine during inflammation and allergic reactions.
  • What are adipocytes specialized for?
    Storing triglycerides (fat) for energy, insulation, and cushioning.
  • What are the three types of connective tissue fibers produced by fibroblasts?
    Collagenous (strong and flexible), Elastic (stretchy), and Reticular (fine supporting network).
  • Name the three main categories of connective tissue.
    Loose (areolar, adipose, reticular), Dense (regular, irregular, elastic), and Specialized (cartilage, bone, blood).
  • What is the function of cartilage?
    Provides support, protection, framework, and attachment; lacks direct blood supply.
  • What are the three types of cartilage?
    Hyaline, Fibrocartilage, and Elastic cartilage.
  • What is the structure of bone tissue?
    Cells within a calcified ECM arranged into osteons (compact) and trabeculae (spongy).
  • What composes blood as a connective tissue?
    Cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) suspended in a liquid ECM called plasma.
  • What are the four types of membranes in the body?
    Mucous, Serous, Cutaneous, and Synovial membranes.
  • What are the three types of muscle tissue?
    Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth muscle tissue.
  • What is the main function of nervous tissue?
    To send and receive electrical information via neurons and neuroglia.
  • Define hypertrophy and hyperplasia in tissue growth.
    Hypertrophy is enlargement of existing cells; hyperplasia is an increase in cell number.
  • What is fibrosis in tissue repair?
    Formation of scar tissue after injury.
  • What is regeneration in tissue repair?
    Mitotic replacement of lost cells to restore tissue function.