connective Tissue

What are the three main fiber types in connective tissue?

Collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.

What is the most abundant protein fiber in connective tissue?

Collagen fibers.

What do collagen fibers provide?

Strength and resistance to pulling.

What do elastic fibers provide?

Stretch and recoil.

What do reticular fibers provide?

Supportive framework for soft organs.

What cells produce connective tissue fibers?

Fibroblasts.

What is the extracellular matrix?

The nonliving material surrounding connective tissue cells.

What are the two parts of the extracellular matrix?

Ground substance and protein fibers.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue with all three fiber types.

Where is areolar connective tissue found?

Under epithelia and around organs, blood vessels, and nerves.

What is the function of areolar connective tissue?

Wraps, cushions, supports organs, and holds tissue fluid.

How do you identify areolar connective tissue?

Lots of open space with scattered fibers running in different directions.

Memory trick for areolar tissue

"Air"-eolar = lots of empty space.

Adipose Tissue

Connective tissue made mostly of fat cells.

Where is adipose tissue found?

Under the skin, around kidneys, heart, and eyes.

What is the function of adipose tissue?

Energy storage, insulation, and cushioning.

How do you identify adipose tissue?

Large empty-looking cells with nuclei pushed to the edge.

Memory trick for adipose tissue

Looks like chicken wire or bubbles.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue with reticular fibers.

Where is reticular connective tissue found?

Lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.

What is the function of reticular connective tissue?

Forms the supportive framework of soft organs.

How do you identify reticular connective tissue?

Thin branching fibers with many small cells.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Parallel collagen fibers with fibroblasts.

Where is dense regular connective tissue found?

Tendons and ligaments.

What is the function of dense regular connective tissue?

Strong attachment and resists pulling in one direction.

How do you identify dense regular connective tissue?

Parallel wavy collagen fibers with flattened nuclei in rows.

Memory trick for dense regular tissue

Regular = fibers run in regular straight lines.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Collagen fibers arranged in many directions.

Where is dense irregular connective tissue found?

Dermis of the skin and organ capsules.

What is the function of dense irregular connective tissue?

Provides strength against pulling from many directions.

How do you identify dense irregular connective tissue?

Thick collagen bundles crossing in random directions.

Memory trick for dense irregular tissue

Irregular = messy fibers.

Elastic Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue rich in elastic fibers.

Where is elastic connective tissue found?

Walls of large arteries and some ligaments.

What is the function of elastic connective tissue?

Allows tissues to stretch and recoil.

How do you identify elastic connective tissue?

Numerous dark, wavy elastic fibers.

Which connective tissue stores fat?

Adipose tissue.

Which connective tissue is found beneath most epithelia?

Areolar connective tissue.

Which connective tissue forms tendons and ligaments?

Dense regular connective tissue.

Which connective tissue forms the dermis?

Dense irregular connective tissue.

Which connective tissue forms the framework of lymph nodes and spleen?

Reticular connective tissue.

Which connective tissue allows arteries to stretch?

Elastic connective tissue.

Which connective tissue has fibers running in one direction?

Dense regular connective tissue.

Which connective tissue has fibers running in many directions?

Dense irregular connective tissue.

Which connective tissue looks like empty bubbles under the microscope?

Adipose tissue.

Which connective tissue has lots of open space and scattered fibers?

Areolar connective tissue.