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Histology Glossary

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


C cells
1. Parafollicular cells in the thyroid which secrete calcitonin
2. Chromophobe cells of the anterior pituitary

Canal of Schlemm
Circular canal near the junction of the cornea and sclera which allows the aqueous humor to drain from the anterior chamber

Canaliculi
Little canals which contain the processes of an osteocyte

Canals of Hering
Small bile ducts which connect to bile ducts in the portal canal

Cancellous bone
Spongy bone; trabecular bone

Capillary
Thin walled blood vessel; the exchange of products between the blood and tissue occurs in the capillary

Caveola
Small pockets or indentations of cell membrane seen with pinocytosis

Cell membrane
Plasmalemma; outermost portion of of a cell

Cementum
Substance found covering the roots of teeth

Central vein
Vein within the center of a liver lobule

Centriole
Organelle in cells which is made of microtubles

Chief cells
1. Cells in the stomach which secrete pepsinogen
2. Cell type found in the parathyroid

Chondroblast
Immature cartilage cell which forms cartilage

Chondrocyte
Mature cartilage cell

Choroid
Pigmented layer underneath the neural retina

Chromaffin cells
Catacholamine secreting cells found primarily in the adrenal medulla

Chromatin
DNA and histone protein which is found in the cell nucleus

Chromophobe
Cell type in the anterior pituitary which does not pick up stain readily

Chromosome
Structure visible during cell division; bar like structure of chromatin

Cilia
Hair like projection found on the apical surface of some epithelium

Clara cell
Cells found in the epithelium of the lung

Collagen
Protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendon, bone, and cartilage

Collecting duct
Part of the kidney which collects urine from the nephrons

Columnar cell
An epithelial cell that is taller than it is wide

Compound gland
A gland with branching ducts

Cone cell
Type of photoreceptor which is specialized for color vision

Cords of Billroth
The tissue between the splenic sinuses; also called the splenic cords

Corona radiata
Cell layer surrounding oocyte

Corpus albicans
White scar seen when the corpus luteum degenerates

Corpus luteum
Structure seen in the ovary at site of ruptured follicle; yellow body

Crypts of Lieberkühn
Glands found in the epithelium of the small intestine

Cuboidal epithelium
Type of epithelium where the cells are as tall as they are wide

Cumulus oophorus
Cells which surround the ovum within the ovarian follicle

Cytokinesis
Division of the cytoplasm

Cytoplasm
The region of a cell between the nucleus and plasma membrane

Cytoskeleton
The framework of a cell

Decidual cell
Cell type in the endometrial stroma

Delta cell
1. Pancreatic islet cell which secretes somatostatin
2. Gonadotrophic cell

Demilune
Crescent shaped serous cell cap seen in some salivary glands

Dendrite
Processes extending from the neuron cell body which usually branch like a tree

Dense core granule cell
Small granule cell or argyrophilic cell

Dense irregular connective tissue
Type of connective tissue where the collagen fibers are in a haphazard arrangement

Dense regular connective tissue
Connective tissue with collagen fibers in parallel arrangement

Dentin
The substance which makes up most of a tooth

Dermis
The layer of skin underneath the epidermis composed primarily of dense irregular connective tissue

Descemet's membrane
Limiting layer of cornea

Desmosome
Type of cell junction; important juction within epithelial tissue; macula adherens

Distal convoluted tubule
DCT; part of the nephron

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; material which carries the genetic information

Ducts of Bellini
Papillary ducts; large collecting ducts in the nephrons

Dust cell
Phagocytic cell found in the alveoli of the lungs; also called an alveolar macrophage or an alveolar phagocyte

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.