Connective Tissue Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, cell types, matrix components, and tissue classifications from Chapter 5 on Connective Tissues.

Connective Tissue

The most diverse, abundant, and widely distributed body tissue with a high amount of extracellular matrix, which functions to bind, strengthen, protect, insulate, and transport.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

The nonliving material separating cells in connective tissue, composed of ground substance and protein fibers.

Fibroblast

The most numerous cell type present in all general connective tissues that secretes fibers and components of the ground substance in the extracellular matrix.

Macrophage

A connective tissue cell that develops from monocytes and carries out phagocytosis.

Plasma Cell

A cell developed from B lymphocytes residing mostly in connective tissues of the GI and respiratory tracts that secretes antibodies to neutralize foreign substances.

Mast Cell

A connective tissue cell that produces histamine, involved in inflammatory response and phagocytosis.

Chondroblast

An immature cartilage cell.

Chondrocyte

A mature cartilage cell.

Osteoblast

A cell that produces extracellular matrix and builds bone tissue.

Osteocyte

A mature bone cell that sustains and communicates within the bone tissue.

Ground Substance

The component of extracellular matrix between cells and fibers—fluid, semisolid, gelatinous, or calcified—that supports cells, binds them together, stores water, and provides a medium for substance exchange.

Proteoglycan

A ground substance molecule consisting of a protein core with attached glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are highly negatively charged, repelling each other to occupy space and trap water.

Hyaluronic Acid

A viscous ground substance component that binds cells together, lubricates joints, and helps maintain the shape of the eyeball.

Fibronectin

A cell adhesion protein that links components of the ground substance to one another and to cell surfaces.

Collagen Fibers

The strongest protein fibers in the extracellular matrix that resist tensile pulling forces while allowing flexibility, highly abundant in tendons and ligaments.

Elastic Fibers

Networks of long, thin, branched fibers composed of elastin and fibrillin that allow for stretch and recoil in tissues like skin, lungs, and blood vessels.

Reticular Fibers

Thin collagen fibers coated with glycoprotein that branch extensively to form supporting networks (stroma) around cells and in organs like the spleen and lymph nodes.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue consisting of fibroblasts and collagen fibers arranged in one direction, found in tendons and ligaments to withstand tension in a single direction.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue containing interwoven collagen fiber bundles and fibroblasts, providing structural strength against multidirectional forces.

Hyaline Cartilage

Cartilage type with a resilient ground substance, thin collagen fibers, and chondrocytes in lacunae; located at ends of long bones, joints, nose, trachea, and fetal skeleton.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage type containing large chondrocytes arranged in rows alongside thick collagen fibers; located in intervertebral discs and knee menisci to provide support, strength, and rigidity.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage type rich in elastic fibers and chondrocytes in lacunae; found in the epiglottis and external ear to provide strength, elasticity, and shape maintenance.

Osseous Tissue

Bone tissue consisting of compact bone externally and spongy bone internally, containing osteocytes in a hard matrix of calcium salts for support, protection, and mineral storage.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue consisting of a liquid matrix (plasma) and formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) circulating within blood vessels and the heart.