A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A band
Dark band seen in muscle which is made of the thick filaments
Acetylcholine
One of the neurotransmitters
Acidophilia
Property of tissues with an affinity for acidic dye
Acidophils
Cell type in the adenohypophysis with a propensity for acidic dyes
Acinar cell
Cell lining an acinus, such as cells in a pancreatic acini
Acinus
Sac-like cluster of secretory epithelial cells with a central lumen
Acoustic hair cell
Sensory cell within the organ of corti
Acrosome
Portion of a sperm which contains enzymes
Actin
A contractile protein that is very prevalent in muscle
Adenosine triphosphate
A molecule that stores chemical energy; often abbreviated as ATP
Adipocyte
Fat cell
Adipose cell
Fat cell
Adipose
Fatty
Adventitia
The outer connective tissue covering of an organ, vessel or other structure
Agranulocytes
Agranular leukocyte. Leukocytes without prominent granules; specifically lymphocytes and monocytes
Alpha cell
1. Pancreatic islet cell which secrete glucagon
2. Cell type in the anterior pituitary, also called acidophil
Alveolar cell
Cell of the pulmonary alveoli
Alveolar duct
Passageway which contains alveolar sacs
Alveolar sac
Region at the end of an alveolar duct; airspace
Alveolus
1. Microscopic sac in the lung
2. Spherical sac
Amacrine cells
Interneurons in the retina
Ameloblast
Cell which makes tooth enamel
Ampulla
A saccular swelling
Antrum
Fluid filled space surrounding follicle
Apocrine gland
A type of sweat gland found in the axilla, anogenital region, external auditory meatus and eyelid
APUD
Amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation
Argentaffin cells
Also called enterochromaffin cells; found in glands of the gastrointestinal tract; stain with silver salt
Argyrophilic cell
Small granule cell or dense core granule cell
Arrector pili
Smooth muscle associated with a hair follicle
Arteriole
Part of the arterial tree; a small artery with a diameter less than .5mm
Astrocyte
Star shaped cell seen in the central nervous systm; most abundant glial cell
Auerbach's plexus
Myenteric plexus; located in the muscle of the intestine between the outer longitudinal layer and inner circular layer
Axolemma
Plasma membrane of an axon
Axon
Single process seen in a neuron which conducts impulses away from the cell body
Axon hillock
The cone shaped region at the junction of the axon and cell body
Azurophilic granules
Granules in a neutrophil which contain peroxidase and lysosomal enzymes
B lymphocytes
Leukocytes involved in humoral immunity
Band cell
Immature neutrophil in which the nucleus has not yet become multilobulated
Barr body
Inactive, repressed X chromosome seen in the female
Basal body
Structure at the base of cilium or flagellum made of microtubules
Basal cell
Cell in the deepest layer of epithelium
Basal lamina
Thin sheet of protein underlying epithelium
Basement membrane
Thin sheet which cells rests upon
Basket cell
1. Cell in the cerebellar cortex
2. Myoepithelial cell
Basophil
1. Type of granulocyte with prominent basophilic granules
2. Glandular cell in the pituitary
Basophilia
1. An increase number of basophils in the peripheral circulation
2. Tissues property of staining with basic dyes
Beta cell
1. Pancreatic islet cell which secretes insulin
2. Cell type in the anterior pituitary, also called basophil
Betz cells
Pyramidal cells in the motor area of the brain
Bipolar neuron
Neuron with only two processes: an axon and a dendrite
Bowman's capsule
Portion of the uriniferous tubule; double layered portion surrounding the glomeruli
Bowman's membrane
The basement membrane of the corneal epithelium
Bronchiole
Small branch of the bronchial tree which contains no cartilage in the wall
Bruch's membrane
The inner layer of the choroid; also called lamina vitrea
Brunner's gland
Glands found in the submucosa of the duodenum which have an alkaline secretion
Brush border
Microvilli seen on the epithelial surface in the small intestine which significantly increases the absorptive surface area
Histology hint from Sarah Bellham: If you are studying histology or involved in health care, you need a medical dictionary. You may as well get one as early in your career as possible to maximize the benefit. I recommend: Stedman's Medical Dictionary or Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 30th Edition.
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