micro flash cards
Acidophilic
Structures that stain witheosin, anegatively chargeddye that stainspink to red. Acidophilic tissue componenets have a net positive charge such as proteins (NH2+). Examples of acidophilic components: mitochondria (due to membrane proteins), Lysosomes (due to enzymes) erythrocytes (hemoglobin), collagen fibers, secretory vacuoles that contain proteins, and cytosolic proteins.
Acrosome
A modified lysosome at the tip of the head of a sperm which contains lytic enzymes (hyaluronidase in mammalian sperm) which digest the outer surface of the egg and allow the sperm to inject its haploid DNA. The release of these enzymes is called the acrosome reaction and is triggered when a spermatozoon binds to a secondary oocyte.
Actin
Afilamentous protein(42 kD) involved in muscle contraction in both smooth and striated muscle. It is the main constituent of thethin filamentsof muscle fibers. Actin also makes up the microfilaments that form part of the cytoskeleton. Actin filaments (known also as filamentous or f-actin) can be dissociated into their globular subunits. This is known as globular or g-actin.
Adventitia
Theoutermost connective tissuelayer of any hollow organnot covered by a serosa. An adventitia plus a mesothelium makes a serosa.
Afferent
Moving orcarrying inwardor toward a central part, such as anafferent arteriole, which carries unfiltered blood toward the glomerulus.(see efferent for more examples)
Aldehyde fuchsin
A stain that produces violet staining ofelastic fibers, mast cell granules, gastric chief cells, beta cells of the pancreatic islets.
Ampulla
A dilated portion of a tubular structure, e.g. the ampulla of Vater (major duodenal papilla) or the ampulla of the oviduct.
Anaphase
The stage of mitosis or meiosis beginning with theseparation of sister chromatids(or homologous chromosomes) followed by their movement towards the poles of the spindle.
Anisocytosis
A condition where thered blood cells are unequal in size, evident on blood smear. This condition could be due to low vitamin B12, folic acid and iron. Anisocytosis often involves a mixture of macrocytes (abnormally large cells) and microcytes (abnormally small cells) in the same sample.
Annulus
Aring like structure, e.g. the annulus fibrosus of D23an intervertebral disc.
Anterograde
Movingor extendingforward(antonym: retrograde). Anterograde transport in a neuron involves transport away from the neuronal cell body and toward the peripheral processes
Antrum
A general term forcavity or chamber within a certain organsor sites in the body. The antrum of the stomach (gastric antrum) is a portion before the outlet which is lined by mucosa which does not produce acid. Also the antrum in secondary & tertiary ovarian follicles.
Apical
Relating to or located at thetip(an apex). The apical membrane of a cell is the part that lines the luminal surface (antonym: baso-lateral membrane).
Apocrine
Form of secretion in which someportion of the cell is shed along with the secretory product.example: the secretion of lipid droplets by cells of the lactating mammary gland. The fat drople lacks a membrane when it is in the cytoplasm, but leaves the cell by budding from the apical plasma membrane, taking with it a piece of the membrane.
Apoptosis
Programmed cell deathas signaled by the nuclei or external factors in normally functioning human and animal cells when age or state of cell health and condition dictates. This active process requires metabolic activity by the dying cell, which is characterized by cleavage of the DNA into fragments that give a so called laddering pattern on gels. Cells that die by apoptosis show margination of chromatin, nuclear blebbing fragmentation into membran-bounded apototic bodies that arephagocytosedby macrophages or neighboring cells. These do not usually elicit an inflammatory response. Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis where dying cells break open, and the intracellular components trigger an inflammatory reaction.
Arcuate
Curved like a bow. Examples include the median/medial/lateral arcuate ligaments of the diaphragm, the arcuate line of the transversalis fascia and arcuate vessels of kidney.
Atrophy
Awasting away, a diminution in the size of a cell, tissue, organ or part.
Autocrine
Secretionof a substance, such as a growth factor, thatstimulates the secretory cell itself. One example is interleukin-2 release by T cells, which induces the proliferation of the same T cell as well as other T cells.
Autophagy
Removal of cytoplasmic components, including membrane bounded organelles, by digesting them within secondary lysosomes (autophagic vacuoles). Mechanism: A region of cytoplasm becomes surrounded by primary lysosomes which fuse with one another to form a double membrane around the cytoplasmic region. The lysosomal enzymes are initially limited to the space between the two membranes. The inner membrane breaks down, giving the enzymes free access to the enclosed region of cytoplasm.
Axon
Along process of a neuron, that carries efferent (outgoing) action potentials from the cell body towards target cells. Axons can be identified by the presence of an axon hillock (tapering region between a neuron’s cell body and its axon that is pale-staining because it lacks Nissl bodies).
Axoneme
The9+2 arrangement of microtubule(9 doublets + a pair of complete microtubules) that forms the core of a cilium or flagellum
Basal
In morphologicallypolarized epithelial cells, the surface closest to thebasement membrane.
Basal body
The structure from which a cilium develops. Has9 triplets of microtubules, similar to the arrangement in a centriole.
Basal lamina
Terminology varies from book to book. We consider a basal lamina to be an electron dense layer visible by EM that lies between an epithelium and connective tissue layer and helps bind the two together. The basal lamina and the reticular lamina form the basement membrane. The basal lamina (or lamina densa) is produced by epithelial cells and contains type IV collagen. The reticular lamina is formed by the connective tissue cells and contains reticular fiber of type III collagen. Between the epithelial cells and the basal lamina lies a pale-staining layer (the lamina lucida or lamina rara).
Basophilic
Tissue components that carry a net negative charge and therefore bind positively charged dyes such as hematoxylin.Basophilic tissue components includeDNA, RNA (PO4) Proteoglycans, and GAGs (SO4, CO2). Examples of basophilic structures include: nucleus, nucleolus, and ribosomes.
Best’s carmine
A stain used for thedemonstration of glycogen in tissues.
Bouin’s
A common fixative for light microscopy. It includes formalin, acetic acid and picric acid.
Brush border
Thedensely packed microvillion the apical surface of, for example, the cells of the proximal tubules of the nephron.
Canaliculus
Literally a little channel or canal. In bone: canaliculi radiate from lacuna. House cytoplasmic processes of osteocytes.
Centriole
Small cylindrical structures composed of nine microtubule triplets; they constitute the core of themicrotubule organizing center (MTOC) in thecentrosome
Centrosome
A zone of cytoplasm usually located near the nucleus that contains the Golgi apparatus and a pair of centrioles (Wheater, Figs. 1.9b & 1.25). Also called the cytocentrum. Sometimes distinguishable by LM (Wheater, Fig. 1.9c) because the organelles it contains stain poorly with H&E.
Chromophil
Characterized by secretory granules having high affinity for histological dyes. In the pituitary there are 2 types of chromophils: acidophils & basophils.
Chromophobe
Cells whose cytoplasm does not take up stain readily. Located in pars distalis. Possibly degranulated chromophils. Include folliculostellate cells which make up a large portion of cells in pars distalis.
Cilium
Motile hair-like projections that emanate from the surface of certain epithelial cells. Specialized function in propelling mucus and other substances over the surface of epithelium via rapid wave’like oscillations.
Clathrin
A protein involved in intracellular vesicular transport. Clathrin triskelions (protein complexes with a three-armed structure) coat the cytoplasmic aspect of certain cytoplasmic membranes such as the trans golgi network, causing the coated parts of the membrane to bud off as a vesicle. Example: formation of lysosomes in the trans golgi network where mannose-6-phosphate is bound. The clathrin-coated pit deepens to form a vesicle (lysosome) which then loses its clathrin coat and can then fuse (and release its contents) to a late endosome.
Connexon
A gap junction is made up of many connexons. A connexon is a cylindrical structure that consists ofsix copies of the transmembrane proteinconnexin.Connexons are aqueous pores through the plasma membrane. Paired connexons in neighboring cell membranes form hydrophilic channels that permit the passage of ions, amino acids, cAMP, etc., directly from the cytosol of one cell to the cytosol of the other. Connexons are regulated by pH and Ca2+ (high pH/low Ca2+ opens connexons).
Constitutive
Continuousand without regulation, as in constitutive vs. regulated secretion.
Cortex
A histologically distinct region located at theperiphery of an organ. Examples include renal cortex, suprarenal cortex, thymic cortex.
Crista
Folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Cristae greatly increase the surface area where theelectron transport chain and ATP synthase are located. Numerous cristae therefore indicate a high energy requirement in that cell.
Cumulus
Cumulus literally means “hill.” Thus “cumulus oophorus” is the hill that carries the egg.
Cytokinesis
Stage in cell division where division of cytoplasm occurs. Cleavage furrow begins inlate anaphasebut cytokinesis is best characterized intelophase.
Cytosol
Water and theinorganicandorganic chemicalssuspended in it that make up thebulk of the cytoplasm. All cytoplasmic organelles are surrounded by the cytosol. Cytoplasm = cytosol + cytoplasmic organelles + cytoplasmic inclusions (e.g., lipid droplets, glycogen).
Demilune
Demilune means “half moon,” i.e. shaped like a crescent moon. A serous demilune is a half-moon shaped group of serous cells associated with the outer surface of amucous acini(e.g., in submandibular and sublingual glands).
Dendrite
Processes specialized forreceiving stimuli from sensory cells, axons, and other neurons.Often multibranched.
Desmosome
One of the three components of junctional complex between epithelial cells (other two are the zonula occludens and zonula adherens). Also occur in epithelia & muscle as individual desmosomes that are not part of a junctional complex.
Diapedesis
Process by whichleukocytes leave the bloodstreamby migrating between the endothelial cellsof the blood vessels to enter the connective tissue spaces where they perform their major functions.
Diaphysis
Shaft of a long bone
Dyad
Present near Z-line of cardiac muscles, composed of aT-tubule and a terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Important in excitation-contraction coupling.
Dynein
Microtubule-associated protein responsible formoving vesiclesalong the microtubules in retrograde transport. Ciliary dynein forms arms associated with each microtubules doublet in the axoneme. The ATPase activity of the dynein slides one doublet relative to the next during ciliary movement.
Dysplasia
A disordered pattern of growth, most often encountered in epithelia. May involve loss of cell orientation, variation in cell size and shape, and increased numbers of mitotic cells that are often found in unusual locations within the epithelium.
Efferent
Leading away from. Examples: 1) Functionally, the PNS is divided into asensory (afferent) component, which receives and transmits impulses to the CNS for processing, and amotor (efferent) component, which originates in the CNS and transmits impulses to effector organs throughout the body. 2)Afferent lymphaticvesselsdeliver lymph into the lymph nodes, while efferent lymphatics carry lymph away from the node after it has passed through it.
Endocrine
A gland that lacks a duct and secretes into surrounding connective tissue, where the hormone is picked up by the bloodstream. Does not secrete into a lumen or onto the body surface. E.g., Adrenal (suprarenal) glands, thyroid, enteroendocrine (DNES or diffuse neuroendocrine system) cells.
Endocytosis
Process whereby acell ingestsmacromolecules, particulate matter, and other substances from the extracellular space.
Endomitosis
Process whereby the DNA replicates without subsequent division of the nucleus or the cell; instead, ithe cellbecomes larger and the nucleus becomes polyploid, as much as 64 N, sometimes more. Megakaryoblasts undergo endomitosis prior to platelet formation.
Endomysium
Composed ofreticular fibersand anexternal lamina(basal lamina), surrounds each muscle cell.
Endoneurium
Theinnermost layerof the three connective tissue investments of a nerve. It surrounds individual nerve fibers and consists mainly of collagen fibrils.
Epineurium
Outermost layerof the three connective tissue investments covering a nerve. It surround the entire nerve, usually binding multiple fascicles together. It consists of dense irregular connective tissue, sometimes associated with adipose tissue.
Epiphysis
Articular end of long bone.
Euchromatin
Active form of chromatinwhere genetic material of the DNA molecule is uncoiled and is either being replicated or being transcribed into RNA. Euchromatic areas of a nucleus are pale-staining by LM or EM.
Exocrine
Secreting into a lumen (e.g. the stomach) or onto the body surface, usually via aduct.
Exocytosis
Release of materialfrom the cell byfusion of a membrane-bounded vesiclewith the plasma membrane
Fibrillin
Widely distributedconnective tissue proteinthat forms the microfibril on which elastin is laid down to form elastic fibers. Absence of these microfibrils results in formation of elastic sheets (lamellae) rather than elastic fibers.
Formalin
A 37% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. Themost common fixative agentused in light microscopy.
Fundus
Therounded end of a hollow organ farthest from the outflow opening.e.g. fundus of stomach, gall bladder, and uterus.
GAG (Glycosaminoglycan)
Negatively charged, long, unbranched, rod-like chains ofrepeating disaccharidesthat have the capability of binding large quantities of water. GAGs associate with a core protein to form proteoglycans.
Ganglion
A general term fora group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system, occasionally applied to certain nuclear groups within the brain or spinal cord, for example basal ganglia.
Glutaraldehyde
Adialdehyde used as a fixative, especially for electron microscopy. By its interaction with amino groups (and others) it forms cross links between proteins.
Glycocalyx
Also called the cell coat. The fuzzy layer, seen by electron microscopy, on the outer surface of the plasmalemma. Especially prominent on enterocytes of the intestine & proximal tubules of the kidney. It is rich in proteoglycans, glycolipids, and glycoproteins. A thick glycocalyx may be visible by LM after special staining (e.g. PAS)