Tissues & Membranes
The most abundant permanent connective tissue proper cells that actively produce fibers and ground substance.
What are Fibroblasts?
The deepest epidermal layer containing germinative stem cells that continually divide to replace surface cells.
What is the Stratum Basale?
The deeper dermal layer composed of dense irregular connective tissue providing multidirectional strain resistance.
What is the Reticular Layer?
Immature bone cells that actively deposit new matrix during osteogenesis/ossification.
What are Osteoblasts?
The mode of ossification where bone develops directly within sheets of fibrous connective tissue in fetal development.
What is Intramembranous Ossification?
Mobile connective tissue cells near blood vessels that release histamine and heparin to trigger inflammation.
What are Mast Cells?
The superficial epidermal layer consisting of 15–30 layers of dead, cornified cells linked tightly by desmosomes.
What is the Stratum Corneum?
The arterial network lying along the border of the hypodermis supplying subcutaneous adipose and integument.
What is the Cutaneous Plexus?
Large multinucleate cells that secrete acids and protein-digesting enzymes to erode bone matrix during osteolysis.
What are Osteoclasts?
The diaphysis location where blood vessels first invade hyaline cartilage models to form spongy bone.
What is the Primary Ossification Center?
The specialized areolar connective tissue layer that supports the epithelial lining of a mucous membrane.
What is the Lamina Propria?
Pigment-producing cells in stratum basale that package melanin into vesicles called melanosomes to shield cell nuclei.
What are Melanocytes?
Holocrine exocrine glands secreting lipid sebum into hair follicles whose blockage leads to local acne inflammation
What are Sebaceous Glands?
The inorganic chemical compound comprising two-thirds of bone matrix weight, providing compressive strength.
What is Calcium Phosphate?
A nutritional deficiency in this vitamin impairs osteoblast function and collagen synthesis, leading to scurvy.
What is Vitamin C Deficiency?
The specific layer of a serous membrane that directly covers the outer surface of visceral organs.
What is the Visceral Layer (Visceral Serosa)?
The clear, flattened intermediate epidermal layer found exclusively in thick skin on palms and soles.
What is the Stratum Lucidum?
Sticky sweat glands activated at puberty that discharge cloudy secretions into hair follicles in armpits and groin.
What are Apocrine Sweat Glands?
The organic protein fibers comprising one-third of bone matrix weight, providing tensile flexibility.
What are Collagen Fibers?
The cartilage structure at the epiphysis-diaphysis junction whose ossification and closure halts bone lengthening.
What is the Epiphyseal Plate / Cartilage?
An epithelial type that appears multi-layered due to staggered nuclei, but every cell contacts the basement membrane.
What is Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium?
The essential hormone synthesized when epidermal cholesterol steroids react with UV light, converted by liver/kidneys.
What is Calcitriol (from Vitamin D3)?
The four sequential phases of skin repair following injury.
What are Inflammatory, Migratory, Proliferation, and Scarring Phase?
The microscopic functional unit of compact bone consisting of concentric lamellae surrounding a central canal.
What is an Osteon (Haversian System)?
The total number of bones comprising the human axial skeleton
What is 80 bones?