Different Types of Connective Tissue

Embryonic and Mature

Mesenchyme - Function and Feature

Type: Embryonic

Function: gives rise to all other CT

Feature: consists of CT cells (mesenchymal) in a semi fluid GS containing reticular fibres

Mucous - Function and Feature

Type: Embryonic

Function: supports umbilical cord of foetus

Feature: widely scattered fibroblasts in GS

Areolar - Function(3), Structure(3), Location

Type: Mature, loose

Function: strength, elasticity and support

Structure: collagen, reticular and elastic fibres

Location: widely distributed around almost every structure - packing material

Adipose - Function (3), Structure (2), Locations, 2 different forms + functions

Type: mature, loose

Function: temperature control, insulation, energy source

Structure: adipocytes dominant, central triglyceride droplet

Brown Adipose: produce heat

White Adipose: energy storage

Location: found with areolar CT including fibroblasts (buttocks, flanks, abdomen, orbit of eye)

Reticular (Structure, Location, Functions (3))

Type: mature, loose

Description: fine interlacing network of reticular fibres and reticular cells

Location: Stroma of organs

Function

• forms stroma of organs

• binds smooth muscle tissue cells

• filters and removes worn-out blood cells in spleen and microbes in lymph nodes

Dense Regular CT - Functions (2), Features(2), Locations (3)

Function: slow healing, attachment

Features: regularly arranged collagen (tendons), shiny white

Location: tendons, ligaments and aponeuroses

Dense Irregular (Structure, Location, Function)

Structure: made up of collagen fibres, irregularly arranged with a few fibroblasts

Location: Often in sheets, such as fasciae, reticular (deeper region) of dermis, fibrous pericardium of heart, periosteum of bone, perichondrium of cartilage, joint capsules, membrane capsules around various organs also in heart valves

Function: Tensile strength in many directions

Dense Elastic

Structure: predominantly elastic fibres with fibroblasts between them: unstained tissue is yellowish

Location: Lung tissue, walls of elastic arteries, trachea, bronchi tubes (stuff associated with stretching)

Function: allows stretching of various organs (can recoil to original shape)

Hyaline cartilage - Function (2), Structure (3), Location(4)

Functions: flexibility and movement

Structure: relatively weak, resilient gel, fibres present but not obvious

Locations: anterior ends of ribs, respiratory cartilage, nasal septum, ends of long bones

Elastic Cartilage (Structure, Locations (3), Function (2))

Structure: chondrocytes in threadlike network of elastic fibres within extracellular matrix - perichondrium present

Location: lid on top of larynx (epiglottis), part of external ear, auditory tubes

Function: strength and elasticity, maintains shape of certain structures

Fibrocartilage (structure, location (4), function)

Structure: chondrocytes among thick bundles of collagen within ECM - lacks perichondrium

Location: Pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs, menisci of knee, portions of tendons that insert into cartilage

Function: Support + join structures together, strength and rigidity make it the strongest type of cartilage

Bone/ Osseous Tissue - Compact (Location(1), Structure(2), Functions(3)

Location: outer layer of bone + forms shaft of long bones,

Structure: rod shaped units (osteons) and compact

Functions: stores calcium and phosphorous, protection, support

Bone Tissue - Spongy bone (Location, Structure, Function(2))

Location: under compact bone

Structure: porous inner structure

Functions: stores triglycerides (yellow) and produced blood cells (red)