- adipocytes
- lipid storage cells
- adipose tissue
- specialized areolar tissue rich in stored fat
- anchoring junction
- mechanically attaches adjacent cells to each other or to the basement membrane
- apical
- that part of a cell or tissue which, in general, faces an open space
- apocrine secretion
- release of a substance along with the apical portion of the cell
- apoptosis
- programmed cell death
- areolar tissue
- (also, loose connective tissue) a type of connective tissue proper that shows little specialization with cells dispersed in the matrix
- astrocyte
- star-shaped cell in the central nervous system that regulates ions and uptake and/or breakdown of some neurotransmitters and contributes to the formation of the blood-brain barrier
- atrophy
- loss of mass and function
- basal lamina
- thin extracellular layer that lies underneath epithelial cells and separates them from other tissues
- basement membrane
- in epithelial tissue, a thin layer of fibrous material that anchors the epithelial tissue to the underlying connective tissue; made up of the basal lamina and reticular lamina
- cardiac muscle
- heart muscle, under involuntary control, composed of striated cells that attach to form fibers, each cell contains a single nucleus, contracts autonomously
- cell junction
- point of cell-to-cell contact that connects one cell to another in a tissue
- chondrocytes
- cells of the cartilage
- clotting
- also called coagulation; complex process by which blood components form a plug to stop bleeding
- collagen fiber
- flexible fibrous proteins that give connective tissue tensile strength
- connective tissue
- type of tissue that serves to hold in place, connect, and integrate the body’s organs and systems
- connective tissue membrane
- connective tissue that encapsulates organs and lines movable joints
- connective tissue proper
- connective tissue containing a viscous matrix, fibers, and cells.
- cutaneous membrane
- skin; epithelial tissue made up of a stratified squamous epithelial cells that cover the outside of the body
- dense connective tissue
- connective tissue proper that contains many fibers that provide both elasticity and protection
- ectoderm
- outermost embryonic germ layer from which the epidermis and the nervous tissue derive
- elastic cartilage
- type of cartilage, with elastin as the major protein, characterized by rigid support as well as elasticity
- elastic fiber
- fibrous protein within connective tissue that contains a high percentage of the protein elastin that allows the fibers to stretch and return to original size
- endocrine gland
- groups of cells that release chemical signals into the intercellular fluid to be picked up and transported to their target organs by blood
- endoderm
- innermost embryonic germ layer from which most of the digestive system and lower respiratory system derive
- endothelium
- tissue that lines vessels of the lymphatic and cardiovascular system, made up of a simple squamous epithelium
- epithelial membrane
- epithelium attached to a layer of connective tissue
- epithelial tissue
- type of tissue that serves primarily as a covering or lining of body parts, protecting the body; it also functions in absorption, transport, and secretion
- exocrine gland
- group of epithelial cells that secrete substances through ducts that open to the skin or to internal body surfaces that lead to the exterior of the body
- fibroblast
- most abundant cell type in connective tissue, secretes protein fibers and matrix into the extracellular space
- fibrocartilage
- tough form of cartilage, made of thick bundles of collagen fibers embedded in chondroitin sulfate ground substance
- fibrocyte
- less active form of fibroblast
- fluid connective tissue
- specialized cells that circulate in a watery fluid containing salts, nutrients, and dissolved proteins
- gap junction
- allows cytoplasmic communications to occur between cells
- goblet cell
- unicellular gland found in columnar epithelium that secretes mucous
- ground substance
- fluid or semi-fluid portion of the matrix
- histamine
- chemical compound released by mast cells in response to injury that causes vasodilation and endothelium permeability
- histology
- microscopic study of tissue architecture, organization, and function
- holocrine secretion
- release of a substance caused by the rupture of a gland cell, which becomes part of the secretion
- hyaline cartilage
- most common type of cartilage, smooth and made of short collagen fibers embedded in a chondroitin sulfate ground substance
- inflammation
- response of tissue to injury
- lacunae
- (singular = lacuna) small spaces in bone or cartilage tissue that cells occupy
- lamina propria
- areolar connective tissue underlying a mucous membrane
- loose connective tissue
- (also, areolar tissue) type of connective tissue proper that shows little specialization with cells dispersed in the matrix
- matrix
- extracellular material which is produced by the cells embedded in it, containing ground substance and fibers
- merocrine secretion
- release of a substance from a gland via exocytosis
- mesenchymal cell
- adult stem cell from which most connective tissue cells are derived
- mesenchyme
- embryonic tissue from which connective tissue cells derive
- mesoderm
- middle embryonic germ layer from which connective tissue, muscle tissue, and some epithelial tissue derive
- mesothelium
- simple squamous epithelial tissue which covers the major body cavities and is the epithelial portion of serous membranes
- mucous connective tissue
- specialized loose connective tissue present in the umbilical cord
- mucous gland
- group of cells that secrete mucous, a thick, slippery substance that keeps tissues moist and acts as a lubricant
- mucous membrane
- tissue membrane that is covered by protective mucous and lines tissue exposed to the outside environment
- muscle tissue
- type of tissue that is capable of contracting and generating tension in response to stimulation; produces movement.
- myelin
- layer of lipid inside some neuroglial cells that wraps around the axons of some neurons
- myocyte
- muscle cells
- necrosis
- accidental death of cells and tissues
- nervous tissue
- type of tissue that is capable of sending and receiving impulses through electrochemical signals.
- neuroglia
- supportive neural cells
- neuron
- excitable neural cell that transfer nerve impulses
- oligodendrocyte
- neuroglial cell that produces myelin in the brain
- parenchyma
- functional cells of a gland or organ, in contrast with the supportive or connective tissue of a gland or organ
- primary union
- condition of a wound where the wound edges are close enough to be brought together and fastened if necessary, allowing quicker and more thorough healing
- pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- tissue that consists of a single layer of irregularly shaped and sized cells that give the appearance of multiple layers; found in ducts of certain glands and the upper respiratory tract
- reticular fiber
- fine fibrous protein, made of collagen subunits, which cross-link to form supporting “nets” within connective tissue
- reticular lamina
- matrix containing collagen and elastin secreted by connective tissue; a component of the basement membrane
- reticular tissue
- type of loose connective tissue that provides a supportive framework to soft organs, such as lymphatic tissue, spleen, and the liver
- Schwann cell
- neuroglial cell that produces myelin in the peripheral nervous system
- secondary union
- wound healing facilitated by wound contraction
- serous gland
- group of cells within the serous membrane that secrete a lubricating substance onto the surface
- serous membrane
- type of tissue membrane that lines body cavities and lubricates them with serous fluid
- simple columnar epithelium
- tissue that consists of a single layer of column-like cells; promotes secretion and absorption in tissues and organs
- simple cuboidal epithelium
- tissue that consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells; promotes secretion and absorption in ducts and tubules
- simple squamous epithelium
- tissue that consists of a single layer of flat scale-like cells; promotes diffusion and filtration across surface
- skeletal muscle
- usually attached to bone, under voluntary control, each cell is a fiber that is multinucleated and striated
- smooth muscle
- under involuntary control, moves internal organs, cells contain a single nucleus, are spindle-shaped, and do not appear striated; each cell is a fiber
- stratified columnar epithelium
- tissue that consists of two or more layers of column-like cells, contains glands and is found in some ducts
- stratified cuboidal epithelium
- tissue that consists of two or more layers of cube-shaped cells, found in some ducts
- stratified squamous epithelium
- tissue that consists of multiple layers of cells with the most apical being flat scale-like cells; protects surfaces from abrasion
- striation
- alignment of parallel actin and myosin filaments which form a banded pattern
- supportive connective tissue
- type of connective tissue that provides strength to the body and protects soft tissue
- synovial membrane
- connective tissue membrane that lines the cavities of freely movable joints, producing synovial fluid for lubrication
- tight junction
- forms an impermeable barrier between cells
- tissue
- group of cells that are similar in form and perform related functions
- tissue membrane
- thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body, organs, and internal cavities
- totipotent
- embryonic cells that have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell and organ in the body
- transitional epithelium
- form of stratified epithelium found in the urinary tract, characterized by an apical layer of cells that change shape in response to the presence of urine
- vasodilation
- widening of blood vessels
- wound contraction
- process whereby the borders of a wound are physically drawn together