Connective tissues

Features of connective tissue

Consists of cells and Extracellular matrix (ground substance and fibers); cells dont cover or line surfaces; highly vascular and has nerve supply

Does tendons and cartilage have vascularity and nerve supply?

No

List of connective tissue

Connective tissue proper, Fluid connective tissues; supportive connective tissues

Connective tissue proper

Connect and protect

Function of Fluid connective tissues

transportation of substances

Function of Supportive connective tissue

structural strength

Types of fibers in connective tissue proper

Collagen fibers; elastic fibers; reticular fibers

Collagen fibers

most common in CTP; provides strength and flexibility; resists force in a single direction

Elastic fibers

Thin and wavy; can stretch and recoil

reticular fibers

network of interwoven fibers; stabilizes cells; provides strength and flexibility

Types of Loose connective tissue

Areolar tissue; reticular tissue; adipose tissue

areolar tissue

nonspecialized; contains collagen and elastic fibers that handle stressors

Where is areolar tissue located?

found under more epithelial tissue

Reticular tissue

3D network of only reticular fibers

Where is reticular tissue found?

spleen; liver; kidneys; lymph nodes; bone marrow

Adipose tissue

stores fat; prevents body heat loss

Where is adipose tissue found?

beneath the skin, around the eyes, kidneys, abdomen, in breasts

Types of Dense Connective Tissues

Dense Regular CT; Dense Irregular connective tissue

Dense Regular CT

contains collagen fibers that are tightly compact and parallel to one another; minimizes friction between muscles

Where is Dense Regular CT found?

tendons and ligaments

Dense irregular connective tissue

contains collagen and retucular fibers arranged randomly; supports other tissues

Where is dense irregular connective tissue found?

dermis, joints, and coverings of some organs

Fluid Connective tissue Definition

Fluid connective tissues contain few fibers and provide physiological support to the body

Fluid connective tissue types

Blood and Lymph

Definition of Blood

consists of plasma, RBC, WBC, and platelets; few fibers are found in the blood for blood clotting

Function of blood connective tissue?

Transport vital materials throughout the body

Lymph

Translucent fluid; no RBC but lots of WBC; supports the body by providing immunity to different conditions; lymph transports lipids, blood cannot

Supportive connective tissue - Cartilidge

Cartlidge is formed from chondrocyte activity and surrounded in a gel-like ground substance; avascular and lacks nerve fibers

Types of cartilidge

Hyaline; elastic; fibrous

Hyline cartilage

most prevalent; provides stiff but flexible support and reduces friction in bone

Where is hyaline cartilage found?

synovial joints; rib tips; sternum; trachea

Elastic cartilage

Provides support but bends easily from the number of elastic fibers present

Where is elastic cartilage found?

external ear and epiglottis

Fibrous cartilage

many collagen fibers that limit movement; prevents bone to bone contact and pads knee joints

Where is fibrous cartilage located?

between pubic bones, knee joints, and intervertebral discs

Supportive Connective Tissue - Bone tissue

consists of calcified matrix and contains lots of collagen fibers

Osteoblasts

cells that aid in building hardened matrix

osteocytes

cells that maintain bone

Spongy bone

found in long bone ends; has spongy apperance

Compact bone

denser than spongy bone; forms external surface of all bones