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Adipocytes: Fat cells that store energy in the form of lipids.

Adipose tissue: A type of connective tissue composed mainly of adipocytes that stores fat and provides insulation and cushioning.

Areolar tissue: A loose connective tissue that provides support and flexibility to surrounding structures.

Avascular: Lacking blood vessels.

Basal surface: The bottom layer of epithelial cells that attaches to the basement membrane.

Basement membrane: A thin, fibrous layer that anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

Cancer: A generic term for many diseases in which cells escape regulatory signals.

Carcinomas: Cancers derived from epithelial cells.

Cardiac muscle: Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found only in the heart.

Chondrocytes: Cartilage cells.

Cilia: Hair-like structures on the surface of some cells that help move fluids or mucus.

Collagen fibers: Strong, fibrous proteins that provide structural support in connective tissues.

Columnar epithelium: A type of epithelial tissue composed of column-shaped cells.

Compact bone: Dense, hard bone tissue that provides strength and support, also known as cortical bone.

Connective tissue: Tissue that connects, supports, and binds other tissues and organs.

Connective tissue membrane: A type of body membrane that is made entirely of connective tissue, unlike epithelial membranes (like mucous or serous membranes) which include both epithelial and connective tissue layers.

Connective tissue proper: A classification of connective tissue that includes loose and dense connective tissues.

Cuboidal epithelium: A type of epithelial tissue composed of cube-shaped cells.

Cutaneous membrane: A stratified squamous epithelial membrane resting on top of connective tissue.

Dense regular connective tissue: A type of connective tissue with tightly packed, parallel collagen fibers that provide strength in one direction.

Dense regular elastic tissue: A specialized connective tissue that contains elastic fibers, allowing for stretch and recoil.

Dense irregular connective tissue: Connective tissue with randomly arranged collagen fibers that provide strength in multiple directions.

Dense irregular elastic tissue: A type of connective tissue with irregularly arranged elastic fibers that allow for flexibility.

Elastic cartilage: A flexible type of cartilage that contains both elastic fibers and collagen. It provides support while maintaining elasticity, allowing structures to return to their original shape after bending. An example is found in the external ear.

Elastic fibers: Fibers composed of elastin that provide elasticity to tissues.

Elastin: A protein that gives connective tissues their elasticity.

Epithelial tissue: A tissue type that covers body surfaces and lines cavities.

Epithelium: A layer of epithelial cells that covers internal and external surfaces of the body.

Epithelial membrane: Mebrane composed of epithelium attached to a layer of connective tissue

Endocrine glands: Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Endothelium: Simple squamous epithelium tissue that lines the blood vessels.

Erythrocytes: Red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport.

Exocrine glands: Glands that release their secretions through ducts to the surface of an organ or tissue.

Fibroblasts: Cells that produce fibers and matrix in connective tissue.

Fibrocartilage: The strongest type of cartilage, known for its toughness due to thick bundles of collagen fibers in its matrix. It provides strength and shock absorption in high-stress areas, such as the menisci of the knee joint and the intervertebral discs between vertebrae.

Fluid connective tissue: A type of connective tissue, including blood and lymph, that transports substances.

Gland: A structure that secretes substances for various functions.

Goblet cell: A mucus-secreting cell found in epithelial tissue.

Histology: The study of tissues.

Hormones: Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands.

Hyaline cartilage: The most common type of cartilage in the body. It has a smooth surface, providing strength and flexibility. This cartilage is found in the rib cage, nose, and at the ends of long bones, where it helps cushion joints and support structural integrity.

Keratin: A structural protein found in skin, hair, and nails.

Lamina propria: Underlying layer of connective tissue which helps to support the epithelial layer.

Leukocytes: White blood cells involved in immune response.

Leukemias: Cancers of white blood cells.

Loose connective tissue: A connective tissue with loosely arranged fibers that provide support and flexibility.

Lupus: A disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease).

Lymph: A fluid that circulates in the lymphatic system and aids immune function.

Macrophages: Immune cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris.

Marfan syndrome: An inherited disorder that affects connective tissue.

Mast cells: Cells that release histamine and other chemicals during inflammation.

Matrix: The extracellular material in connective tissues composed of fibers and ground substance.

Mesenchymal cells: Stem cells that can differentiate into various connective tissue types.

Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Mucous membrane: Membrane layer which is composed of a combination of connective and epithelial tissues.

Muscle tissue: Tissue that contracts to produce movement.

Mutation: Permanent change in the DNA of a cell.

Myelomas: Cancer in myeloid tissue or blood cells.

Neuroglia: Supportive cells in the nervous system.

Neurons: Nerve cells that transmit electrical signals.

Osteons: Structural units of compact bone.

Pathogens: Disease-causing microorganisms.

Protein fibers: Structural fibers found in connective tissues, including collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.

Pseudostratified columnar epithelium: A type of epithelial tissue that appears layered but consists of a single layer of cells with varying heights.

Pseudostratified epithelium: Epithelial tissue that looks stratified but is actually a single layer.

Reticular fibers: Thin collagen fibers that form a supportive network in tissues.

Reticular tissue: A type of connective tissue with a network of reticular fibers that support cells.

Sarcomas: Cancers of the connective tissues.

Serous membrane: An epithelial membrane that lines cavities that do not open to the outside, and covers the organs located within those cavities.

Skeletal muscle: Voluntary, striated muscle tissue attached to bones.

Simple columnar epithelium: A single layer of column-shaped epithelial cells.

Smooth muscle: Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue found in the walls of organs.

Stratified columnar epithelium: Multiple layers of columnar epithelial cells.

Simple cuboidal epithelium: A single layer of cube-shaped epithelial cells.

Simple epithelium: A single layer of epithelial cells.

Simple squamous epithelium: A single layer of flat epithelial cells.

Spongy bone: Porous bone tissue that provides structural support and houses bone marrow, also known as cancellous bone.

Stratified cuboidal epithelium: Multiple layers of cube-shaped epithelial cells.

Stratified epithelium: Multiple layers of epithelial cells.

Stratified squamous epithelium: Multiple layers of flat epithelial cells that provide protection.

Squamous epithelium: Flat, scale-like epithelial cells.

Supportive connective tissue: Connective tissue that provides structural support, including bone and cartilage.

Synovial membrane: A type of connective tissue membrane that lines the cavity of a freely movable joint.

Thrombocytes: Platelets involved in blood clotting.

Tissue: A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.

Tissue membrane: Thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body (for example, skin), the organs (for example, pericardium), internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body (for example, mucosa of stomach), and the lining of the moveable joint cavities.

Transitional epithelium: A type of epithelium that can stretch and change shape.

Transitional stratified epithelium: Stratified epithelium that allows for stretching and shape changes.