Connective Tissues Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on connective tissues.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that provides support, binds other tissues, provides insulation and protection, and transports substances.

Mesenchyme

The stem cell from which all connective tissues are formed.

Extracellular Matrix

The non-cellular component of connective tissue, composed mostly of ground substance and fibers.

Ground Substance

Watery or gel-like substance secreted by cells in the extracellular matrix.

Fibers

Threads within the extracellular matrix, including collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue with mostly open space; holds water and salts; found under epithelium and around organs.

Adipose Tissue

Loose connective tissue comprised of fat cells (adipocytes) with vacuoles containing fat/oil; insulates, warms, and provides nutrients.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Loose connective tissue containing reticular fibers that create a stiff framework to support other cells.

Regular Dense Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue with collagen fibers arranged in one direction; provides tensile strength; found in tendons and ligaments.

Irregular Dense Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue with collagen fibers arranged in many directions; provides strength in multiple directions; found in capsules around organs.

Elastic Dense Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue that provides flexible cushioning; found between vertebrae and in arteries.

Hyaline Cartilage

Glassy-looking cartilage with a firm ground substance, lacunae, and few collagen fibers; found in the larynx, bridge of nose, and ribs.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage containing lots of collagen running mostly parallel; found in intervertebral spaces.

Elastic Cartilage

Highly flexible cartilage with more elastic fibers; found in the outer ear and tip of nose.

Osteocytes

Bone cells that secrete ground substances, fibers, collagen, and fluids; eventually becomes calcified and hard.

Plasma

The fluid ground substance of blood.

Platelets

Fibers in blood responsible for clotting.

Macrophages

Blob-like cells that engulf invading substances or organisms.

Mast Cells

Cells that contain granules that secrete inflammatory chemicals.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that provide immune response.