Connective Tissue Summary

Connective Tissue (CT)

Supports, connects, and transmits force between other tissues and organs.

Tension-type CT

Refers to tissues that primarily resist tensile (pulling/stretching) forces.

Tendons

Connect muscle to bone and transmit muscle force.

Ligaments

Connect bone to bone and stabilize joints.

Fascia

Connects and transfers forces between muscle groups.

Crimp

Wavy collagen pattern that allows small stretches before full tension.

Viscoelasticity

Exhibits both viscous (time-dependent) and elastic (instantaneous) responses.

Hysteresis

Energy lost as heat during the load–unload cycle.

Creep

Gradual lengthening under constant tension, important in stretching.

Stress Relaxation

Tension decreases over time under constant stretch.

Fibroblasts

Cells that produce collagen, elastin, and ground substance.

Collagen fibers

Provide tensile strength and stiffness.

Elastin fibers

Allow stretch and recoil.

Ground substance

Acts as lubricant and shock absorber, fills space between fibers.

Type I Collagen

Found in tendon, ligament, bone, and skin; provides high tensile strength.

Type II Collagen

Found in articular cartilage; resists compressive forces.

Type III Collagen

Found in skin, muscle, blood vessels; provides structural support and elasticity.

Type IV Collagen

Found in basal lamina; provides sheet-like structural support.

Tendon Composition

Connects muscle to bone with high collagen content.

Ligament Composition

Connects bone to bone with more elastin content.

Biomechanical Property: Crimp

Allows for initial elasticity before full tension is reached.

Clinical Relevance of CT

Includes issues like overstretching leading to microtears and poor blood supply affecting healing.

What is the primary role of Connective Tissue (CT)?

It supports, connects, and transmits force between other tissues and organs.

How would you define Tension-type CT?

Tension-type CT refers to tissues that primarily resist tensile (pulling/stretching) forces.

What structures do Tendons connect and what force do they transmit?

Tendons connect muscle to bone and transmit muscle force.

What is the function of Ligaments?

Ligaments connect bone to bone and stabilize joints.

What is the role of Fascia in the body?

Fascia connects and transfers forces between muscle groups.

Describe 'crimp' in connective tissue.

Crimp is a wavy collagen pattern that allows small stretches before full tension.

What biomechanical property exhibits both viscous (time-dependent) and elastic (instantaneous) responses?

Viscoelasticity.

What is Hysteresis in the context of connective tissue mechanics?

Hysteresis is the energy lost as heat during the load–unload cycle.

Explain 'creep' and its importance in stretching.

Creep refers to the gradual lengthening of tissue under constant tension, which is important in stretching.

What phenomenon occurs when tension decreases over time under constant stretch?

Stress Relaxation.

Which cells are responsible for producing collagen, elastin, and ground substance?

Fibroblasts.

What is the primary function of collagen fibers?

Collagen fibers provide tensile strength and stiffness.

What is the role of elastin fibers in connective tissue?

Elastin fibers allow stretch and recoil.

What are the functions of ground substance?

Ground substance acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, filling space between fibers.

Where is Type I Collagen found, and what is its main function?

Type I Collagen is found in tendon, ligament, bone, and skin; it provides high tensile strength.

Which type of collagen is found in articular cartilage and resists compressive forces?

Type II Collagen.

What are the locations and functions of Type III Collagen?

Type III Collagen is found in skin, muscle, blood vessels; it provides structural support and elasticity.

Where is Type IV Collagen found, and what type of support does it provide?

Type IV Collagen is found in the basal lamina and provides sheet-like structural support.

What is characteristic of Tendon Composition regarding its connection and content?

Tendons connect muscle to bone and have high collagen content.

How does Ligament Composition differ from tendon composition?

Ligaments connect bone to bone and have more elastin content compared to tendons.

Which biomechanical property allows for initial elasticity before full tension is reached?

The biomechanical property of Crimp.

What are some clinical issues related to Connective Tissue (CT)?

Clinical issues include overstretching leading to microtears and poor blood supply affecting healing.