Connective Tissue

Functions

structural framework, transports fluids and dissolved materials, stores fat, defends body from microbes, interconnects tissues and protects delicate organs

Common components

specialized cells, extra cellular protein fibers, fluid called ground substance

Categories

CT proper( loose, dense), fluid, supportive

what is CT proper

viscous matrix with lots of protein fibers

what is fluid CT

watery matrix w dissolved proteins, blood

what is supportive CT

matrix with densely packed fibers

Cells of CT

fibroblasts, fibrocyte, adipocytes

fibroblasts

most common, secretes ground substance and protein fibers

fibrocyte

2nd most common, maintains protein fibers

Immune system cells

mesenchymal, mast, other white blood cells

Mesenchymal cells

responds to injury/infection, stem cells differentiate into fibroblasts and microphages

mast cells

release histamine (inflammatory response) and heparine (anticoagulant)

Collagen fibers

long, straight, strong, flexible, strength for ligaments and tendons

reticular fibers

network of interwoven fibers, thinner, strong, flexible, stabilizes cell, structure, and position

elastic fiber

branched wavy fibers, elastin, returns to original form

ground substance

clear viscous substance, fills spaces between cells, slows pathogen movement

loose connective

areolar, adipose, reticular

Areolar

dermis, deep to epithelial lining of digestive, resp, and urinary tracts, cushions, supports, movement

adipose loose

adipocytes, cushioning, energy storage, insulation

reticular loose

supporting frameworks for liver, kidney, & spleen

Dense CT

dense regular, elastic, fascia

dense regular ct (collagenous)

parallel, tightly packed collagen fibers, tendons (muscle to bone), ligaments (bone to bone)

elastic tissue

dense tissue made of elastic fiber, between vertebrae

fascia

ct that wraps and supports organs

Fluid Ct

blood, plasma, has all blood cells

hyaline cartilage

most common cartilage, collagen fibers, shock absorbs, protects between bones and jont surfaces, nasal septum

elastic cartilage

supportive, flexible, elastic fiber, external ear, larynx

fibrocartilage

dense woven collagen fibers, limits movement, protects, between pubic bones and vertebral bodies

bone

collagen fibers (strong and some flexible), calcified (hard and rigid)