Intro Anatomy and Histology

Question 1

What is a system?

Answer 1

A group of body organs or structures (an association) that perform one or more vital functions e.g. musculoskeletal, reproductive, respiratory

Question 2

What is an organ?

Answer 2

A structure consisting of cells and (2 or more) tissues and performing some specific function in an organism e.g. humerus, mandible

Question 3

What is tissue?

Answer 3

A group or layer of cells with their intercellular matrix that performs specific functions e.g. muscle tissue is a group of muscle cells.

Consists of epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissue.

Question 4

What is a cell?

Answer 4

The basic structure and functional unit of any living thing - the smallest living unit.

Question 5

What are epithelial tissues?

Answer 5

Formed by cells within an extracellular matrix. They cover internal and external body surfaces (surface epithelium) and secreting organs (glandular epithelium), lines body cavities and form glands.

Functions of epithelial tissue are secretion, protection absorption, transportation and special sensory receptive.

Question 6

What are the connective tissues?

Answer 6

Provides structure and support throughout the body, underlying and supporting tissue types. Also stores energy reserves

Question 7

What is muscle tissue?

Answer 7

Responsible for movements in our body. Contain proteins

Question 8

What is nervous tissue?

Answer 8

Initiate and transfer nerve impulses. Responsible for control of body and communication amongst parts.

Question 9

What does connective tissue consist of?

Answer 9

Cells in an intercellular matrix. The matrix is made of fibres and ground substances.

Question 10

What are types of fibres (connective tissue)?

Answer 10

• Collagen: high tensile strength, don’t stretch much
• Elastin: elastic, stretches without breaking e.g. sprained ankle
• Reticular: thin, collagen fibres resembling net-like e.g. bag

Question 11

What are ground substances (connective tissue)?

Answer 11

Consisting of protein and sugar (gelatinous proteoglycan), they are sponge-like - absorbing water - and resist compressive forces.

Cells differ based on tissue

Question 12

What are loose connective tissues?

Answer 12

• lots of matrix, few fibres
• adipose tissue: fat
• areolar (beneath epithelium)
• mesenchyme (embryonic)

Question 13

What is deep connective tissue consisting of?

Answer 13

• cartilage: ends of growing bones, larynx
• bone e.g. humerus
• tendon: connects muscle to bone
• ligament: connects bone to bone
• fascia: flat irregular sheet, resists pull from all directions

Question 14

What is cartilage?

Answer 14

A dense network of collagen and elastic fibres and special cells (chondrocytes).

Types of cartilage are hyaline, elastic and fibrocartilage.