Connective Tissue (CT) Proper and Cartilage

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Composed of fibers and ground substance.

Fibroblasts

The most common connective tissue proper cell, responsible for producing Type I collagen.

Ground Substance

A hydrated gel found in connective tissue.

Type I collagen

Coarse collagen providing tensile strength.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Characterized by collagen bundles oriented in the same direction; includes collagenous and elastic types.

Adipocytes

The main cells in adipose tissue.

White Adipose Tissue

Characterized by unilocular adipocytes with one large lipid vacuole.

Brown Adipose Tissue

Characterized by multilocular adipocytes with multiple small lipid vacuoles.

Hyaluronic Acid

A polymer that forms a hydrated gel in cartilage, binding to fibers in the ECM.

Chondroblasts

Cells that actively secrete cartilage matrix.

Chondrocytes

Cells that maintain cartilage matrix and are not actively dividing.

Fibrocartilage

Contains visible Type I collagen fibers; has small chondrocytes in lacunae.

Elastic Cartilage

Contains visible elastic fibers and chondrocytes in frequent isogenous groups.

Hyaline Cartilage

A type of cartilage where Type II collagen fibers are not visible, giving a glassy appearance.

Interstitial Growth

Growth within cartilage as chondroblasts divide, causing expansion from within.

Appositional Growth

Growth on the surface of cartilage involving secretion of matrix by chondrocytes.

Perichondrium

The connective tissue capsule that surrounds hyaline and elastic cartilage.

Isogenous Groups

Groups of daughter cartilage cells resulting from chondroblast division.

Lacunae

Small cavities in cartilage that house chondrocytes.

Loose Irregular Connective Tissue

Characteristic of low fiber density and high cellularity compared to dense irregular CT.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Characterized by wavy collagen bundles oriented in multiple directions.

Collagenous Ligaments

Dense regular connective tissue with large bundles of Type I collagen.

Elastic Fibers

Strong and flexible fibers important for elasticity found in elastic cartilage.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Contains reticular fibers forming a mesh-like supportive framework.