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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Structure and Function

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Termini in questo insieme (27)

  • What is a tissue in anatomy?

    A tissue is a group of structurally and functionally related cells that perform a common function together, including the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM).

  • Name the four main tissue types in the human body.

    The four main tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

  • What are the three types of cell junctions and their functions?

    Tight junctions seal adjacent cells to prevent molecule passage.
    Desmosomes anchor cells and distribute mechanical stress.
    Gap junctions allow ion and small molecule passage for cell communication.

  • List key characteristics of epithelial tissue.

    Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces, forms glands, is tightly packed with little ECM, avascular, innervated, exhibits polarity with apical and basal surfaces, and has high regeneration capacity.

  • What is the basement membrane and its components?

    The basement membrane is a boundary between epithelial and connective tissues, composed of the basal lamina (collagen fibers and ground substance) and the reticular lamina (reticular fibers and ground substance).

  • How are epithelial tissues classified by layers and cell shape?

    By layers: Simple (one layer), Stratified (multiple layers).
    By shape: Squamous (flat), Cuboidal (cube-shaped), Columnar (tall column-shaped).

  • Describe simple squamous epithelium and its functions.

    Single layer of flat cells with disc-shaped nuclei; functions in diffusion, filtration, and secretion of serous fluid; found in lung alveoli, blood vessels, and serous membranes.

  • What are the main functions and locations of simple cuboidal epithelium?

    Functions in secretion and absorption; located in kidney tubules, small gland ducts, and ovary surface.

  • Describe simple columnar epithelium and its special features.

    Single layer of tall cells with oval nuclei; may have microvilli or cilia; contains goblet cells for mucus secretion; found lining most of the gastrointestinal tract and some respiratory regions.

  • What is pseudostratified columnar epithelium?

    Single layer of cells of varying heights, nuclei at different levels, appears stratified but is not; most have cilia and goblet cells; functions in mucus secretion and propulsion; found in respiratory tract and male reproductive ducts.

  • What distinguishes stratified squamous epithelium?

    Multiple layers with basal cells cuboidal or columnar and surface cells squamous; protects against abrasion; keratinized type forms skin surface, nonkeratinized lines moist body openings.

  • What is transitional epithelium and where is it found?

    Specialized stratified epithelium with dome-shaped surface cells that stretch; functions in protection and distension; found in urinary bladder, ureters, and part of urethra.

  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.

    Endocrine glands are ductless, secrete hormones into interstitial fluid and blood.
    Exocrine glands secrete onto epithelial surfaces via ducts; include sweat, salivary, and digestive glands.

  • What are goblet cells and their function?

    Unicellular exocrine glands found in respiratory and digestive epithelia; secrete mucin that forms mucus to protect and lubricate surfaces.

  • Describe the structure of multicellular exocrine glands.

    Composed of ducts and secretory units; ducts may be simple (unbranched) or compound (branched); secretory cells form tubular, acinar, or tubuloacinar shapes.

  • Explain the three modes of exocrine gland secretion.

    Merocrine: secretion via exocytosis.
    Holocrine: cells rupture to release product.
    Apocrine: product and cytoplasm pinch off from cell surface.

  • What are the main components of connective tissue extracellular matrix?

    Ground substance (interstitial fluid, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, cell adhesion molecules) and protein fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular fibers).

  • Name the three types of protein fibers in connective tissue and their functions.

    Collagen fibers: strong, resist tension.
    Elastic fibers: stretch and recoil.
    Reticular fibers: form supportive networks.

  • What are fibroblasts and their role in connective tissue?

    Fibroblasts are cells that produce protein fibers and ground substance of the extracellular matrix in connective tissue.

  • Describe areolar connective tissue and its functions.

    Loose connective tissue with all three fiber types and various cells; located under epithelia and around organs; functions in cushioning, holding tissue fluid, and inflammation response.

  • What is the function of adipose connective tissue?

    Stores energy as fat, insulates, cushions and protects organs; found under skin and around organs.

  • Describe dense regular connective tissue and its function.

    Contains parallel collagen fibers and fibroblasts; poorly vascularized; found in tendons and ligaments; resists tension in one direction.

  • What is the difference between dense regular and dense irregular connective tissue?

    Dense regular has parallel collagen fibers resisting tension in one direction; dense irregular has irregularly arranged fibers resisting tension in multiple directions.

  • What are the characteristics of hyaline cartilage?

    Glossy matrix with fine collagen fibers; chondrocytes in lacunae; avascular; found in fetal skeleton, nose, trachea, and articular surfaces; provides support and reduces friction.

  • Describe the structure and function of bone tissue.

    Osteoblasts produce organic matrix that mineralizes; osteocytes reside in lacunae; highly vascularized; provides support, protection, mineral storage, and blood cell formation.

  • What are the three types of muscle tissue and their key features?

    Skeletal muscle: long, multinucleate, striated, voluntary.
    Cardiac muscle: branched, uninucleate, striated, involuntary, with intercalated discs.
    Smooth muscle: spindle-shaped, uninucleate, nonstriated, involuntary.

  • What are the two main cell types in nervous tissue?

    Neurons: large excitable cells that transmit electrical signals.
    Neuroglia: smaller supporting cells that aid neuron function and maintenance.