A&P 4: Tissue - The Living Fabric Flashcards
(117 cards)
Tissue
“woven”; groups of cells that are similar in structure and perform a common or related function
Histology
study of tissues
Fixed
before specimen can be viewed through a microscope, it must be preserved
Sections
slices thin enough to transmit light or electrons
Artifacts
preserved tissue under the microscope has been exposed to many procedures that alter its original condition and introduce these minor distortions
Epithelial tissue (epithelium)
sheet of cells that covers a body surface or lines a body cavity
Apical surface
all epithelia have this upper free surface exposed to the body exterior or the cavity of an internal organ
Basal surface
all epithelia have this lower attached surface
Microvilli
fingerlike extensions of the plasma membrane; tremendously increase the exposed surface area; often so dense that the cell apices have a fuzzy appearance (brush border)
Basal lamina
adjacent to the basal surface of an epithelium is this thin supporting sheet; noncellular, adhesive sheet consists largely of glycoproteins secreted by the epithelial cells plus some fine collagen fibers
Reticular lamina
just deep to the basal lamina is this layer of extracellular material containing a fine network of collagen protein fibers that belongs to the underlying connective tissue
Basement membrane
basal lamina + reticular lamina; reinforces the epithelial sheet, helps it resist stretching and tearing, and defines the epithelial boundary
Simple epithelia
consists of a single cell layer; typically found where absorption, secretion, and filtration occur; thin barrier is desirable
Stratified epithelia
composed of 2 or more cell layers stacked on top of each other; common in high-abrasion areas where protection is important, such as the skin surface and the lining of the mouth
Squamous cells
flattened and scalelike
Cuboidal cells
boxlike, approximately as tall as they are wide
Columnar cells
tall, column-shaped
Simple squamous epithelium
cells flattened laterally; sparse cytoplasm; resemble a tiled floor
Endothelium
provides a slick, friction-reducing lining in lymphatic vessels and in all hollow organs of the cardiovascular system (blood vessels/heart)
Mesothelium
epithelium found in serous membranes (lining ventral body cavity and covering its organs)
Simple cuboidal epithelium
consists of a single layer of cells as tall as they are wide; spherical nuclei stain darkly, causing the cell layer to look like a string of beads when viewed microscopically; important functions = secretion and absorption; forms the walls of the smallest ducts and glands and of many kidney tubules
Simple columnar epithelium
single layer of tall, closely packed cells, aligned like soldiers in a row; lines the digestive tract from the stomach through the rectum; mostly associated with absorption and secretion
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
cells vary in height; all of its cells rest on the basement membrane, but only the tallest reach the free surface of the epithelium; tissue gives the false impression that several cell layers are present
Stratified squamous epithelium
most widespread of the stratified epithelia; several layers, thick, well-suited for its protective role in the body; free surface cells are squamous, deeper layers are cuboidal or columnar; found in areas subjected to wear and tear; surface cells constantly being rubbed away and replaced by division of its basal cells