Ch. 4 (cont.) Flashcards
The ground substance and fibers between cells in a connective tissue
Matrix
A large, flat cell that secretes most of the matrix (extra cellular) material of areolar and dense connective tissues
Fibroblasts
A cell found in areolar connective tissue that releases, histamine, a dilator of small blood vessels, during inflammation
Mast cell
(Also called fat cells) connective tissue cells that store triglycerides (fats)
Adipocyte
A protein that is the main organic constituent of connective tissue
Collagen
Can recoil to its original shape after being stretched
Elastin
Consists of a dense network of collagen fibers and elastic fibers firmly embedded in chondroitin sulfate
Cartilage
Cells of mature cartilage that occur singly or in groups
Chondrocyte
Membrane of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds the surface of most cartilage
Perichondrium
Bony; bone tissue
Osseous tissue
Concentric rings of matrix that consist of mineral salts, which give bone its hardness, and collagen fibers, which give bone its strength
Lamellae
Mature bone cells
Osteocytes
Skeletal muscle tissue; the cells contain alternating light and dark bands called striations that are visible under a light microscope
Striated
Can be made to contract or relax by conscious control
Voluntary
Contraction is not consciously controlled
Involuntary
Convert stimuli into nerve impulses and conduct these impulses to other _______, to muscle fibers, or to glands
Neurons
The removal of a sample of a living tissue for microscopic examination
Biopsy
Flat sheets of pliable tissue that cover or line a part of the body
Membrane
Cells that constitute the functioning part of the tissue or organ
Parenchyma
Undifferentiated cells that divide to replace lost or damaged cells
Stem cell
The process in which the fibroblasts synthesize collagen and other matrix materials that aggregate to form scar tissue
Fibrosis
