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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue Types and Characteristics

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  • What are the four types of tissues?

    1. Epithelial tissue
    2. Connective tissue
    3. Muscle tissue
    4. Nervous tissue

  • What attaches epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue?

    The basement membrane attaches epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

  • What does it mean that epithelial tissue is usually avascular?

    Avascular means epithelial tissue has no blood vessels.

  • What structures may epithelial tissue contain to move substances across its surface?

    Epithelial tissue may contain cilia to move substances across the surface.

  • What structures increase absorption in epithelial tissue?

    Microvilli increase absorption in epithelial tissue.

  • How is epithelial tissue classified by number of cell layers?

    Simple = one layer of cells
    Stratified = more than one layer of cells

  • How is epithelial tissue classified by cell shape?

    Squamous - thin, flat, irregular
    Cuboidal - cube-shaped
    Columnar - rectangular columns

  • Describe simple squamous epithelial tissue.

    One layer of cells that are thin and flat.

  • Function and location of simple squamous epithelium?

    Function: diffusion and filtration.
    Location: air sacs of lungs, lining of blood vessels.

  • Describe simple cuboidal epithelial tissue.

    One layer of cube-shaped cells.

  • Function and location of simple cuboidal epithelium?

    Function: secretion and absorption.
    Location: kidney tubules, glands.

  • Describe simple columnar epithelial tissue.

    One layer of tall, rectangular cells with nuclei in basal position.

  • What are fingerlike processes on some columnar cells called and their function?

    Microvilli increase surface area for absorption.

  • Describe stratified squamous epithelial tissue.

    Multiple layers of cells that are thin and flat at the surface.

  • Where is stratified squamous epithelium found?

    Areas subject to abrasion like skin, mouth, esophagus.

  • Describe pseudostratified columnar epithelial tissue.

    One layer with nuclei at different levels giving a false appearance of multiple layers.

  • What do pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells contain for sweeping materials?

    Cilia sweep materials across the surface.

  • Describe transitional epithelium.

    Cells change shape between cuboidal and squamous.

  • Function and location of transitional epithelium?

    Function: allows stretching.
    Location: urinary bladder.

  • What is the function of glandular epithelium?

    Cells specialized for secretion.

  • Difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?

    Endocrine glands secrete hormones into blood.
    Exocrine glands secrete onto body surfaces or cavities.

  • What are the main functions of connective tissue?

    Connects structures together and serves as structural support.

  • What are the three components of connective tissue?

    Cells, fibers, and ground substance.

  • Name the three main types of connective tissue fibers.

    Collagen fibers, elastic fibers, reticular fibers.

  • What is ground substance in connective tissue?

    Fills space between cells and surrounds fibers; can be fluid, gel, or solid.

  • Describe areolar connective tissue.

    Binds skin to underlying organs; fibers arranged loosely; contains collagen and elastic fibers.

  • Function and location of adipose tissue?

    Function: stores fat for energy and insulation.
    Location: under skin, around organs.

  • Describe dense regular connective tissue.

    Bundles of collagen fibers arranged parallel; withstands pulling along fiber length.

  • Where is dense regular connective tissue found?

    Tendons (muscle to bone) and ligaments (bone to bone).

  • Describe dense irregular connective tissue.

    Collagen fibers arranged irregularly in multiple directions; withstands pulling in many directions.

  • What are the characteristics of cartilage?

    Contains chondrocytes in lacunae; avascular; types include hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage.

  • What makes bone harder than cartilage?

    Bone contains mineral salts in addition to collagen fibers.

  • What is the structural unit of bone?

    Osteon, consisting of concentric rings called lamellae.

  • Describe skeletal muscle tissue.

    Cells are long, cylindrical, multinucleated with visible striations.

  • Describe smooth muscle tissue.

    Cells are spindle-shaped with one nucleus and no striations.

  • Describe cardiac muscle tissue.

    Cells are branched, striated, with one nucleus; connected by intercalated discs.