Part 3 - Verified Study Flashcards

Fibrocartilage

• Thick bundles of collagen fibers arranged in parallel

• Chondrocytes

• Lacks a perichondrium

• Stains pink or blue

Function:

• Shock absorption

• Resists compression and tension

• Provides structural support in high-stress areas.

Likely Look-Alike:

• Dense regular connective tissue

Elastic Cartilage

• Elastic fibers form a dense, branching network throughout the matrix.

• Perichondrium is present

• Stains darkly with elastic stains

• Function:

  • Provides flexibility and shape retention

  • Supports soft tissues while allowing bending and stretching.

  Likely Look-Alike:

  • Hyaline cartilage

Adipose Tissue

• Large, empty-looking cells

• Nucleus is pushed to the periphery of the cell.

• Minimal extracellular matrix (cells are closely packed).

• Stains pink or clear in H&E sections.

• Energy storage

• Insulation

• Hormone production

• Cushioning

Likely Look-Alike:

• Simple squamous epithelium

Areolar Tissue

• Loosely arranged fibers

• Fibroblasts are the primary cell type.

• Gel-like ground substance fills the space between fibers.

• Vascularized

• Stains pink and purple in H&E sections.

• Supports and binds other tissues

• Allows diffusion of nutrients and waste

• Immune defense (contains macrophages and mast cells).

Likely Look-Alike:

• Dense irregular connective tissue:

Hyaline Cartilage

• Glassy, smooth matrix with no visible fibers

• Chondrocytes are located in lacunae

• Perichondrium is present

• Stains pink or purple in H&E sections.

• Provides smooth surfaces for joint movement

• Supports soft tissues (e.g., nose, trachea, ribs).

• Template for bone growth (in fetal development).

Likely Look-Alike:

• Elastic cartilage

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

• Parallel bundles of collagen fibers arranged in a single direction.

• Fibroblasts are scattered between the fibers.

• Minimal ground substance (appears densely packed).

• Poorly vascularized (heals slowly).

• Stains pink in H&E sections.

• Provides strong attachment (e.g., tendons, ligaments).

• Resists tension in one direction (e.g., muscle to bone).

Likely Look-Alike:

• Fibrocartilage