connective tissues

Areolar connective tissue structure

Gel-like matrix; scattered fibroblasts; many blood vessels

Areolar connective tissue function

Surrounds and protects tissues and organs; loosely binds epithelia to deeper tissues; provides nerve and blood vessel packing

Areolar connective tissue locations

• Papillary layer of dermis

• Subcutaneous layer under skin

• Surrounds organs

Adipose connective tissue structure

Closely packed adipocytes; nucleus squeezed to one side

Adipose connective tissue function

Stores energy, protects, cushions, and insulates

Adipose connective tissue locations

• Subcutaneous layer

• Covers and surrounds organs

Reticular connective tissue structure

Gel-like liquid; scattered arrangement of reticular fibers, fibroblasts, and leukocytes

Reticular connective tissue function

Provides supportive framework for spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, and bone marrow

Reticular connective tissue locations

• Forms stroma of spleen

• Lymph nodes

• Thymus

• Bone marrow

Dense regular connective tissue structure

Densely packed, parallel collagen fibers; fibroblast nuclei squeezed together between layers of fibers; scarce ground substance

Dense regular connective tissue function

Attaches muscle to bone & bone to bone

Dense regular connective tissue locations

• Tendons

• Most ligaments

Dense irregular connective tissue structure

Mostly collagen fibers; randomly arranged and clumped together

Dense irregular connective tissue function

Durable; withstands stress

Dense irregular connective tissue locations

• Dermis

• Covers bone and cartilage

• Organ capsules

Elastic connective tissue structure

Free-branching elastic fibers; fibroblasts occupy spaces between fibers

Elastic connective tissue function

Allows stretching of organs

Elastic connective tissue locations

• Trachea

• Bronchial tubes

• Suspensory ligaments of penis