EXAM 2 Connective Tissue

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to connective tissues, their types, structures, functions, and characteristics.

Connective Tissue

The most abundant tissue in the body that provides strength, support, protection, insulation, and transportation of substances.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

The substantial matrix found in connective tissue that varies between types, based on composition and type of protein fibers.

Collagen Fibers

Long, strong, rope-like protein fibers that provide strength and resist stretch, the most common protein in the body.

Reticular Fibers

Thin, short fibers made of collagen protein that form nets and provide support within connective tissue.

Elastin (Elastic Fibers)

Long, thin proteins that form branching networks, allowing tissues to return to their original shape after stretching.

Fibroblast

An immature cell type in connective tissue that builds and creates the extracellular matrix.

Connective Tissue Types

Classes of connective tissue including mesenchyme, areolar, adipose, reticular, dense regular, dense irregular, elastic tissue, and cartilage.

Areolar Tissue

Loose connective tissue with a gel-like matrix that allows diffusion of nutrients and serves as a universal packing material.

Adipose Tissue

Tissue made up of closely packed adipocytes for energy storage, insulation, and padding to protect organs.

Reticular Tissue

Tissue composed of reticular cells and fibers that support soft tissues of organs and small blood vessels.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Characterized by parallel fibers providing tensile strength and stretch resistance in one direction, found in ligaments and tendons.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Composed of interwoven fibers that provide tensile strength in multiple directions, located in the dermis of skin.

Elastic Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with a coiled appearance of elastin that permits recoil of tissues after stretching.

Cartilage

Avascular connective tissue that provides support in compression areas, characterized by chondrocytes dispersed in lacunae.

Hyaline Cartilage

A type of cartilage with a transparent matrix that allows for growth of long bones and covers the ends of long bones.

Elastic Cartilage

A type of cartilage with elastin fibers that provides flexibility and shape retention, found in the external ear.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage composed of bundles of collagen fibers that absorbs compression and provides tensile strength, found in intervertebral disks.

Mesenchyme

embryonic connective tissue, some remains in stem cells as adult, star shaped cells that give rise to various types of connective tissues in the body.

Areolar Tissue

loosely arranged protein fibers, surrounds organs and capillaries, attaches skin to underlying tissues

Adipose tissue

bunched together, triglycerides in cell, closely packed cells, subcutaneous, around kidneys and mammary glands

Reticular tissue

support soft tissue of organs and small blood vessels, located in lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

matrix of parallel fibers, primarily fibroblast, tensile strength in one direction, located in ligaments and tendons

dense irregular connective tissue

interwoven fibers, tensile strength in multiple directions, found in dermis of skin and fibrous joint capsule

Elastic connective tissue

elastic, recoil of tissue following stretching, walls of large arteries, walls of bronchial tubes