structure and function of connective tissues

types of connective tissues

• bone

• ligaments

• tendons

• cartilage

• fascia

bones

• Vary in size and shape

• four types - long, short, flat, irregular

long bones

• long cylindrical shaft

• bigger at the ends

• important for movement

• ex: femur, metatarsals

short bones

• small and cube shaped

• normally articulated with more than one bone

• ex: carpals, tarsals

flat bones

• curved surface

• can be thick or thin

• protection + attachment for movement muscles

• ex: sternum, ribs

irregular bones

• specialised shapes and specialised functions

• ex: vertebrae, sacrum

functions of skeletons

• protect vital organs

• shape and support

• blood cell production

structure of bones

• spongy bone - spongy look above epiphyseal line

• compact bone - outer shell of bones

• bone marrow - below epiphyseal line

• epiphyseal line - line between spongy bone

compact bone

solid, dense and protects central structures

spongy bone

irregular latticing like honeycomb

joint

where two or more bones come into contact with each other

4 factors that influence joint stability

• shape of bone

• area where bone is located

• flexibility of bones

• influence of other soft tissue

ligaments

• strong, flexible and join bone to bone

• help with stability and stops overextension

• very strong but can be torn if over stretched

cartilage

• dense network of collagen

• no blood vessels or nerves

• repair is slow due to lack of blood supply

fascia

• connective tissue surrounding other tissues like bones and muscles

• made of fibrous tissue

3 layers of fascia

• epimysium

• perimysium

• endomysium

tendons

• tough, flexible bands

• connect bone to muscle

• very strong and can transmit forces made by muscles

3 types of joints

• fibrous

• cartilaginous

• synovial

fibrous joints

fixed joints where collagenous fibres connect two bones

ex: skull

cartilaginous joints

bones attached by hyaline or fibrous

ex: first joint between ribs and sternum

synovial joints

• most freedom of movement

• made of cavity in bone that another bone fits into

types of synovial joints

• hinge - knee (bend or straighten)

• ball & socket - hip (all direction movement)

• condyloid - wrist (up/down or side to side)

• pivot - neck (rotation)

• saddle - thumb (side to side or up/down)

• gliding - tarsals (back and forth or side to side)

osteoarthritis

• cartilage in joints decay

• stiffness, decreased mobility, bone friction with each other