Histology ( Connective Tissues proper)

Connective Tissue

Provides protection , support , connection (between differenr types of tissue) , storage (store excess calcium and other minerals) , transport.

Connective Tissue general structure

“Areolar Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Adipose Connective Tissue (CT)”

The large baloon like adipocytes dominate the volume of the tissue, the smaller fibroblasts as well as the fibers are compressed between the adipocytes.

“Adipose Connective Tissue (CT)”

Slightly different staining makes it easier to differentiate between adipocytes and the other close-up of adipocytes.

“Adipose Connective Tissue (CT)”

Close-up of adipocytes.

“Various Tissues (CT)”

Shows at least four discernable tissues. The lower right corner is composed of adipose tissue, the center is an example of some sort of epithlium.

“Reticular connective Tissue (CT)”

The most notable elements of this tissue are the presence of dark-staining, branching reticular fibers as well as round wander cells associated with the bodys protective systems.

“Reticular Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Reticular Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Dense regular Connective Tissue (CT)”

The parallel arrangement of predomiantly collagen fibers. The dark spots are fibroblasts compressed between the fiber bundles.

“Dense Regular Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Dense irregular connective tissue (CT)”

The dense irregular is the slightly darker connective tissue generally seennin the lower portion of each of these images. The dense packing of collagen in randomly oriented bundles allows more stain to be concentrated, making them easier to see than the collagen in the lighter-colored areolar connective tissue lying between the dense irregular CT and the stratified squamous ET near the top of the images.

“Dense Irregular Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Dense Irregular Connective Tissue (CT)”

“Elastic Connective Tissue (CT)”

This is very similar to the other dense connective tissues, but with a higher proportion of elastic fibers (the dark red fibers in the image)