Histology Flashcards
A group of similar cells working together.
Tissue
A group of tissues functioning together.
Organ
The study of tissues.
Histology
Name the four main types of tissues.
Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, & Nervous
Describe the key function of epithelial tissue.
It forms linings on exposed surfaces.
List other functions of epithelial tissue.
It forms protective coverings, secretes important substances, absorbs materials, and excretes wastes.
Describe the key structures seen in epithelial tissues.
A superficial layer exposed to a surface and a basement membrane attaching the tissue to other deeper tissues.
Name and describe the 3 main epithelial cell shapes.
- Squamous (“scaly”): round, flat cells
- Cuboidal: cells approximately cubic
- Columnar: cells long and narrow, like columns
Explain the difference between simple, stratified, and pseudostratified epithelium.
- Simple epithelium only has one layer of cells between the basement membrane and the surface.
- Stratified epithelium has several layers of cells between the basement membrane and the surface.
- Pseudostratified epithelium looks layered at first because the cells’ nuclei are at different levels, but actually there is only one layer of cells between the basement membrane and the surface.
Name the 9 types of epithelial tissue.
- Simple Squamous Epithelium
- Stratified Squamous Epithelium
- Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
- Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
- Simple Columnar Epithelium (may or may not be ciliated)
- Stratified Columnar Epithelium (may or may not be ciliated)
- Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium (may or may not be ciliated)
- Transitional Epithelium
- Glandular Epithelium
Describe the function of the basement membrane.
Anchors epithelium to deeper connective tissue.
What is the thinnest epithelial tissue, where is it found, and how does its structure fit its function?
Simple squamous, found in the lungs and blood vessels, materials can easily cross it because it is so thin.
Name the hollow spaces inside organs and blood vessels that are lined with epithelial tissue.
Lumen
Name the microscopic projections of cell membrane and cytoplasm found on some eptihthelial cells.
Microvilli
Describe the function of the microvilli – how does their structure suit this function?
They allow the cells to absorb molecules more quickly because they increase the surface area of the membrane.
Name the cells that are sometimes embedded in columnar epithelium - they usually look clear.
Goblet Cells
Describe the function of goblet cells.
They secrete mucous to lubricate lumens or to trap particles.
Describe how the Ciliated Columnar Epithelium inside the bronchial tubes helps us stay healthy.
The goblet cells in the epithelium secrete mucous that traps any inhaled particles such as dust, pollen, bacteria, and smoke. The cilia then move the mucous and particles up out of our lungs, helping us avoid infections and blockages in the lungs.
What kind of epithelium forms our skin, and why is its structure suited to its function?
Stratified squamous epithelium – the many layers of flattened cells provide a protective barrier. The skin can afford to sacrifice the upper layers of cells due to scrapes and bumps, because 1. There are many layers of cells, so the deeper tissues are not exposed by a simple scrape. 2. The epithelium does not have a good blood supply, so the body only loses blood if deeper tissues are damaged. 3. The cells divide quickly, so any cells that are lost are easily replaced.
Where is mitosis occurring in stratified epithelium, and what happens to the cells as they get older?
Mitosis occurs in the deepest layers of stratified epithelium, close to the basement membrane. As the cells age, they get pushed to the superficial layers by younger cells deeper than them. When they are older they reach the surface, and they will eventually fall off and be completely replaced.
Describe the process of keratinization.
Cells in the stratified squamous epithelium of the skin gradually become filled with the protein called keratin as they age. This makes them waterproof, trapping moisture inside the body.
What impact does keratinization have on our skin and its cells?
The cells become less flexible and waterproof, forming a barrier on the outer surface of our skin that blocks bacteria from entering our bodies and traps water inside our deeper tissues.
What feature is unique to transitional epithelium?
It can stretch and relax as the organs it lines expand and contract.
How does the transitional epithelium accomplish its ability to become distended?
Cells in the relaxed tissue are shaped like stratified cuboidal epithelium, but as they are stretched, their shape changes to stratified squamous epithelium. The tissue also becomes thinner as it is distended.
Glandular epithelium is usually made of which types of epithelial cells?
Cuboidal and / or columnar.
A gland that secretes materials into a duct.
Exocrine gland
A gland that secretes materials into blood or body fluids.
Endocrine gland
The glands studied as part of epithelial tissue.
Exocrine glands – they have ducts.
An exocrine gland that releases entire cells along with its secretory molecules.
Holocrine gland
An exocrine gland that releases cell fragments along with its secretory molecules.
Apocrine gland
An exocrine gland that only releases molecules.
Merocrine gland
A watery fluid with secretory molecules in it.
Serous fluid
A thicker fluid with secretory molecules in it.
Mucus
Compare epithelial tissue to connective tissue.
Epithelial tissue lacks a blood supply, the cells divide rapidly, and the cells are packed together tightly.
Connective tissue has a good blood supply, the cells divide slowly, and the cells are spread apart with a matrix between them.
Describe the key function of connective tissue.
It makes up body parts and joins them together.
List other functions of connective tissue.
It joins body parts, supports body, protects organs, fills spaces, stores fat, makes blood cells, repairs other tissues.
Describe the key structures seen in connective tissues.
It has various cells and fibers spread out in a space filled with a liquid, solid, or gel-like material.
Name the space between the cells of connective tissue.
Matrix
What are the three main cell types in connective tissue – and what are their functions?
Fibroblasts are fixed cells which build and secrete various fibers into the matrix.
Mast Cells are fixed cells that release heparin and histamine.
Macrophages are wandering cells that defend against disease.
Name and describe the three types of fibers found in connective tissues.
Collagenous fibers (aka, white fibers), are strong, made of the protein collagen, and add strength to various body parts.
Elastic fibers (aka, yellow fibers) are stretchy, made of the protein elastin, and add flexibility to various body parts.
Reticular fibers are thin networks that provide extra support to various body parts.