Connective Tissue (loose, dense, & fluid)

Loose connective tissue

a category of connective tissue that acts a soft, flexible packing for organs and other tissues - Each type contains cells (like fibroblasts, adipocytes, or reticular cells) and loosely arranged fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers) in a gel-like ground substance

loose: Areolar

soft, flexible, and cushion organs - provides support but permits independent movement

location: deep to the derms of skin and covered by the epitheial lining of the digestive, respiratory and urinary

loose: Adipose

stores fat, insulates, and protects by providing padding and cushion shocks, stores energy

location: beneath the skin - sides, butt, breasts and posterior to the eyeballs and around kidneys

loose: Reticular

provides supportive framework especially in organs like the spleen and lymph nodes

location: spleen, lymph nodes, liver, and bone marrow

Dense connective tissue

Has a high amount of closely packed collagen fibers which makes it strong and able to resist stretching & it provides support and connects different tissues in the body

Dense regular connective tissue

Provides firm attachment; conducts pull of muscles; reduces friction between muscles; and stabilizes relative position of bones

• fibers are arranged in parallel like in tendons and ligaments

• location: between skeletal muscles and skeleton (tendon)

Dense irregular connective tissue

Provides strength to resist forces applied from many directions; helps prevent overexpansion of organs such as the urinary bladder

location: capsules of visceral organs; dermis; etc

• fibers are arranged randomly and found in the dermis of the skin

(dense) Elastic connective tissue

Stabilizes positions of vertebrae and penis; cushions shocks; permits expansion and contraction of organs

location: between vertebrae of the spinal column; ligaments supporting penis, et

Fluid Connective Tisue: Blood

Contains red - carries and transport oxygen, account for half the volume of whole blood and give it its color & white blood cells - immune defense

• platelets - membrane enclosed packets of cytoplasm that function in blood clotting

Fluid Connective Tisue: Plasma

Liquid part of blood (matrix for transport) and is made mostly of water with dissolved proteins, nutrients, hormones, and waste

Fluid Connective Tisue: Lymph

A clear fluid formed from plasma that leaves capillaries; contains white blood cells and is involved in immune responses and returning fluid to blood vessels.