Anatomy C3 L2

Bone

An osseous connective tissue with a hard, calcified matrix containing collagen fibers and osteocytes; provides structural support and protection.

Cartilage

A flexible, resilient connective tissue found in joints, the respiratory tract, and immature skeletons; contains chondrocytes and lacks blood vessels.

Hyaline cartilage

The most common type of cartilage; has a glassy appearance and provides smooth surfaces, flexibility, and support at joint surfaces, ribs, and the nose.

Fibrocartilage

A highly compressible cartilage rich in thick collagen fibers; acts as a shock absorber in intervertebral disks and the pubic symphysis.

Elastic cartilage

A highly flexible cartilage variant rich in elastic fibers; maintains the shape of structures like the external ear and epiglottis.

Dense connective tissue/dense fibrous tissue

A tissue type crowded with thick collagen fibers; provides high tensile strength to withstand pulling forces.

Tendons

Cords of dense regular connective tissue that attach muscles to bones.

Ligaments

Bands of dense regular connective tissue that connect bones to other bones at joints.

Loose connective tissues

A category of connective tissues with more cells and fewer fibers than dense tissue; includes areolar, adipose, and reticular tissues.

Areolar tissue

A soft, pliable, "web-like" loose connective tissue that cushions and protects body organs; holds internal organs in their proper positions.

Edema

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues, causing localized swelling; frequently occurs in areolar tissue during inflammation.

Adipose tissue

A loose connective tissue commonly known as fat; specialized to store nutrients, insulate the body, and protect organs.

Reticular connective tissue

A loose connective tissue characterized by a delicate network of interwoven reticular fibers; forms the internal framework of specific organs.

Stroma

The internal framework or supporting matrix of an organ, such as the spleen or lymph nodes, typically formed by reticular tissue.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue consisting of blood cells surrounded by a nonliving fluid matrix called plasma; transports nutrients, gases, and wastes.

Muscle tissue

A highly cellular, well-vascularized tissue specialized to contract and produce gross or localized body movement.

Skeletal muscle tissue

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue attached to bones; contains long, multinucleated, cylindrical cells that control body movement.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found exclusively in the heart wall; contains branching cells that pump blood through the circulatory system.

Intercalated disks

Specialized junctional zones containing gap junctions that connect cardiac muscle cells; allows rapid transmission of electrical impulses for synchronized contractions.

smooth/visceral muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue found in the walls of hollow organs; contains spindle-shaped cells that propel substances through internal pathways.

Nervous tissue/neurons

Cells specialized to generate and conduct electrical impulses; forms the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves to rapidly communicate across the body.

Supporting cells

Non-conducting cells within nervous tissue, also called neuroglia, that insulate, support, and protect fragile neurons.

Regeneration

The replacement of destroyed tissue by the exact same type of functional cells, fully restoring original tissue function.

Fibrosis

The repair of tissue damage through the formation of dense fibrous connective tissue, resulting in scar tissue that lacks original function.

Neoplasm

An abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that forms a mass; commonly referred to as a tumor, which can be benign or malignant.

Hyperplasia

An abnormal or unusual increase in the total number of cells within a tissue or organ, causing it to enlarge due to local irritation or stimulation.

atrophy

A decrease in the size or wasting away of a body tissue or organ, often resulting from disease, lack of use, or loss of nerve stimulation.