connective and supporting tissues

connective tissue

Tissue that supports, connects, protects, and stores materials throughout the body

supporting tissue

Specialized connective tissue that provides structure and support, including cartilage and bone

three basic types of connective/supporting tissue

Connective tissue category, supporting tissue category, and hematolymphoid complex

connective tissue proper

Soft connective tissue dominated by collagen or elastin fibers in the extracellular matrix

reticular tissue

Connective tissue dominated by reticular fibers that forms supportive scaffolding

adipose tissue

Connective tissue specialized for fat storage

cartilage tissue

 Supporting tissue with a hydrophilic matrix that traps water for support and flexibility

characteristics of cartilage

Lightweight, water-filled, poorly vascularized, and repairs slowly

hydrophilic

able to attract and hold water

bone tissue

Highly vascular supporting tissue with more mineral content than cells

functions of connective tissue

Support, storage, protection, transport, and movement depending on the extracellular matrix

extracellular matrix

Material outside cells made of fibers and ground substance

ground substance

Thin gel-like material with high water content that surrounds connective tissue cells

functions of ground substance

Nutritional environment for cells and medium for diffusion

fibers

Structural protein strands found in connective tissue matrix

collagen fibers

Strong, wavy fibers that resist stretching and provide tensile strength

characteristics of collagen fibers

Long, nonbranching fibers that often form bundles

functions of collagen fibers

Strength and resistance to tension

elastic fibers

Stretchable branching fibers made of elastin

functions of elastic fibers

 Stretch and recoil back to original shape

reticular fibers

Thin branching fibers that form supportive networks

function of reticular fibers

Create scaffolding or framework for tissues and organs

mesenchymal cell

Stem-like connective tissue cell that can differentiate into fibroblasts, adipose cells, and smooth muscle cells

fibroblast

Connective tissue cell that produces collagen and elastin fibers

fibrocyte

Mature connective tissue cell involved in maintaining fibers and wound repair

adipocyte

Fat-storing connective tissue cell containing lipid droplets

lipid droplet

Large fat storage structure inside adipose cells

macrophage

Immune cell that performs phagocytosis and removes debris or pathogens

phagocytosis

 Process of engulfing and digesting particles or microorganisms

mast cell (mastocyte)

Connective tissue cell involved in inflammation and detection of foreign substances

lymphocyte

Small immune cell involved in immune responses

plasma cell (plasmocyte)

Cell that produces antibodies for humoral immunity

fixed or resident cells

 Permanent connective tissue cells found within tissues

wandering or migrant cells

Mobile immune-related connective tissue cells that move through tissues

loose (areolar) connective tissue

 Loosely arranged collagen fibers with many blood vessels

locations of loose connective tissue

Top layer of dermis, between muscles, and hypodermis

functions of loose connective tissue

Vascular support and filling spaces around structures

dense irregular connective tissue

Connective tissue with crossed collagen fibers oriented in many directions

location of dense irregular connective tissue

dermis of the skin

function of dense irregular connective tissue

Resists tension from multiple directions

dense regular connective tissue

Connective tissue with tightly packed parallel collagen fibers

locations of dense regular connective tissue

tendons and some ligaments

functions of dense regular connective tissue

Assists skeletal muscle movement and resists pulling in one direction

elastic connective tissue

Connective tissue dominated by elastic fibers

locations of elastic connective tissue

walls of arteries and lung tissue

functions of elastic connective tissue

allows stretch and recoil

reticular tissue locations

spleen and lymph nodes

functions of reticular tissue

Forms structural framework for organs

adipose tissue locations

anywhere with extra space (ex. breasts, abdomen, around lungs, integument, and eyes)

functions of adipose tissue

Energy storage, insulation, and cushioning

highly vascular

Rich blood supply with many blood vessels

poorly vascular

Limited blood supply and slow healing

tensile strength

Ability to resist pulling forces

form follows function

Structure of a tissue reflects its job or function