Histology

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Closely-packed, thick, collagenous fibers, elastic fibers, and fibroblasts

Dense CT Location

Tendons, Ligaments, and Dermis

Tendons Location

Dense CT Regular

Tendons Function

Connect Muscle to Bone

Ligaments Location

Dense CT Regular

Ligaments Functions

Connect bone to bone

Dermis Location

Dense CT Irregular

Dermis Function

Is the deepest layer of the skin

Elastic Connective Tissue Characteristics

EMC=elastic fibers (in parallel strands)

Elastic CT Function

Allows for stretching and recoiling.

Elastic CT Location

Vocal Cords, Ligaments b/t vertebrae, and Walls of large arteries

Areolar (Loose) CT

EMC=Protein Fibers (Fibroblasts, Collagenous Fibers, and Elastic Fibers) that are widely spaced from one another (“loosely” packed)

Has a rich blood supply

Areolar (Loose) CT Location

Found under epithelial tissue

Adipose CT Characteristics

Not your typical CT-Has Large, closely packed cells

Stores Fat

Adipose CT Location

Found on cushioning of joints and some organs (eyes, kidneys)

Found beneath skin (insulated)

CT with a Protein Fiber CT Matrix

Dense CT, Elastic CT, Areolar (Loose) CT, Adipose CT

General Cartilage Characteristics (Applies to all Cartilage)

Relatively Rigid

Provides support but can return to original shape of bent or compressed

Has chondrocytes and lacunae

Takes extremely long to heal (does not have a rich blood supply)

Chondrocytes

Lacunae

Found in chondrocytes

Hyaline Cartilage Characteristics

Most Common type of Cartilage

Has few protein fibers

Looks glassy

Hyaline Cartilage Location

Found on end of bones and joints (attaches ends of ribs and sternum) and soft part of nose

Elastic Cartilage Characteristics

More flexible than hyaline due to large number of elastic fibers

Elastic Cartilage Location

External Ear

Fibrocartilage Characteristics

Very tough because it had lots of Collagenous Fibers

Fibrocartilage Function

Acts as a shock absorber for structures under pressure

Fibrocartilage Location

Disks b/t vertebrae in the back

Between bones in the knee

Bone (Osseous Tissue) Charcteristic

Most rigid CT

Lots of collagenous fibers

Mineral salts such as Ca3(PO4)2 and CaCO3 give hardness

Osteocytes

Bone cells (located within lacunae) which form concentric circles

Bone Location

Found in Skeletal system (femur, Tibia, Ulna, ect.)

Osteocytes Loaction

Found in Lacunae

CT Matrix is mostly fibers and ground substance (gel-like)

Cartilage (hyaline, elastic, and fibro) and Bone

Blood

EMC=plasma

Cells=Red & white

Contains cellular fragments called platelets

Blood Location

Vessels in Cardiovascular System

CT Matrix is Fluid

Blood