Connective Tissues Lecture Review

Flashcards covering the definition, functions, characteristics, structural elements, and various types of connective tissues, including specific bone structures.

Connective Tissue

A widely distributed group of tissues found in all organs, providing attachment, protection, insulation, and transport.

Mesenchyme

The embryonic tissue from which all connective tissues arise.

Extracellular Matrix

A fluid-based area of connective tissue that separates the cells and contains dissolved fibers.

Ground Substance

A solution of ECF and organic proteins found between the cells in connective tissue.

Collagen Fibers

Protein-based structures in connective tissue made of collagen proteins, providing high tensile strength.

Elastic Fibers

Protein-based structures in connective tissue made of elastin proteins, capable of stretch and recoil.

Reticular Fibers

Protein-based structures in connective tissue made of collagen proteins, forming a branching network called a stroma.

-blast cells

Connective tissue cells that are tissue builders, producing ground substance and fibers.

-cyte cells

Mature connective tissue cells that maintain the matrix.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A loose connective tissue with fibroblasts, various white blood cells, fat cells, and all three fiber types in a loose arrangement; functions in support, holding body fluids, immune protection, and energy storage.

Adipose Tissue (Fat)

A loose connective tissue primarily composed of adipocytes that store triglyceride, functioning in energy storage, cushioning, and insulation.

Adipocytes

Cells in adipose tissue that store a droplet of triglyceride, pushing the nucleus to the edge of the cell.

Reticular Connective Tissue

A loose connective tissue containing reticular cells and many white blood cells, with a branching stroma of reticular fibers, providing support for immune protection in lymphatic tissues.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

A dense connective tissue dominated by many parallel rows of collagen fibers, providing strength in one direction, found in ligaments, tendons, and fascia.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

A dense connective tissue with thicker collagen fibers oriented in all directions, providing strength in many directions, found in the dermis of the skin and joint capsules.

Dense Elastic Connective Tissue

A dense connective tissue containing parallel rows of collagen and elastic fibers, providing support while allowing for stretch and recoil, found in large artery walls like the aorta.

Cartilage

A tough but flexible, avascular connective tissue whose matrix contains many dissolved collagen fibers, produced by chondroblasts and maintained by chondrocytes.

Chondroblasts

Cells that produce the matrix of cartilage when the tissue is growing.

Chondrocytes

Mature cartilage cells that maintain the matrix, found in hollow spaces called lacunae.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage, appearing smooth and glassy, found on articular surfaces of bones and the tip of the nose.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage containing collagen and elastic fibers for additional flexibility, found in the epiglottis and outer ear.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage similar to hyaline but containing fewer, thicker collagen fibers, acting as shock absorbers in intervertebral discs and menisci.

Bone

A hard connective tissue providing body shape and support, with a calcified matrix due to calcium salts and collagen fibers, produced by osteoblasts and maintained by osteocytes.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that produce the matrix and fibers of bone tissue.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain the tissue, found in lacunae.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells responsible for resorbing bone tissue.

Blood

The only fluid connective tissue, consisting of red and white blood cells, fibrin fibers for clotting, and plasma as its fluid matrix, functioning in the transport of substances.

Plasma

The fluid component that serves as the matrix of blood, the fluid connective tissue.

Periosteum

The connective tissue membrane found on the outer surface of bone.

Endosteum

The connective tissue membrane lining the marrow cavity of bone.

Osteons

Circular units of compact bone, acting as pillars that hold weight.

Lamellae

The individual rings of matrix that form the osteons.

Circumferential Lamellae

Lamellae that circle the marrow cavity or the entire bone.

Interstitial Lamellae

Incomplete rings of lamellae squeezed between osteons.

Central Canal

A hollow space in the middle of an osteon where blood vessels and nerves are located.

Volkman’s Canals

Hollow passages that run perpendicular to the osteons, connecting the central canals.

Lacunae

Hollow spaces in which osteocytes (mature bone or cartilage cells) are located.

Canaliculi

Tiny passages that connect the lacunae, allowing osteocyte communication.