Classification of Connective Tissues

Supporting Connective Tissue

Type of connective tissue including cartilage and bone

Cartilage

Firm, semisolid extracellular matrix with collagen and elastic protein fibers; contains chondrocytes in lacunae

Hyaline Cartilage

Clear, glassy cartilage with perichondrium; found in nose, trachea, larynx, and fetal skeleton

Fibrocartilage

Weight-bearing cartilage with sparse ground substance and no perichondrium; located in intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis

Elastic Cartilage

Flexible, springy cartilage with densely packed elastic fibers; surrounded by perichondrium and found in external ear and epiglottis

Bone

More solid than cartilage, with organic (collagen and glycoproteins) and inorganic (calcium salts) components; contains osteocytes and osteoblasts

Compact Bone

Bone perforated by neurovascular canals (osteons) with concentric rings of bone CT (lamellae) surrounding central canal

Spongy Bone

Located in interior of bone with latticework structure, providing strength and lightweight

Red Bone Marrow

Tissue involved in the production of blood cells

Blood

Fluid connective tissue with formed elements including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets; contains liquid ground substance called plasma

Lymph

Fluid derived from blood plasma, lacking cellular components or fragments, and ultimately returned to the bloodstream

Muscle Tissue

Tissue with contractile cells that shorten when stimulated, causing movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth types

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Striated, voluntary muscle tissue responsible for moving the skeleton; composed of long cylindrical cells (skeletal muscle fibers) arranged in parallel bundles

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

Confined to middle layer of heart wall, responsible for heart contraction, visible striations, and connected by intercalated discs; involuntary and controlled by pacemaker cells

Smooth Muscle Tissue

Visceral, involuntary muscle tissue lacking striations, found in walls of various organs, and responsible for propelling movement through these organs

Nervous Tissue

Tissue located in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, composed of neurons and glial cells

Neurons

Cells that receive, transmit, and process nerve impulses; have cell body, dendrites, and axon

Glial Cells

Support cells that do not transmit nerve impulses, responsible for protection, nourishment, and support of neurons