supporting connective tissue

Hyaline cartilage - Structure

Glassy appearing matrix; lacunae house chondrocytes; perichondrium

Hyaline cartilage - Function

Provides smooth surface for movement of joints

Hyaline cartilage - Location

• End of long bones

• Most of fetal skeleton

• Costal cartilage

• Most of larynx

• Trachea

• Nose

Bone - Structure

Compact: calcified matrix arranged in osteons

Spongy: arranged in meshwork pattern

Bone - Function

Protects vital organs; provides levers for movement; stores calcium and phosphorus

Bone - Location

Bones of the body

Fibrocartilage - Structure

Readily visible; parallel collagen fibers in matrix; no perichondrium

Fibrocartilage - Function

Resists compression; absorbs shock in some joints

Fibrocartilage - Location

• Intervertebral disk

• Pubic symphysis

• Menisci of knee joints

Elastic cartilage - Structure

Abundant elastic fibers; web-like mesh around lacunae; perichondrium present

Elastic cartilage - Function

Maintains structure and shape; flexibility

Elastic cartilage - Location

• External ear

• Epiglottis of the larynx

Fluid connective tissue - Structure

Contains erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets

Fluid connective tissue - Function

Erythrocytes transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide; leukocytes control immune response; platelets help with blood clotting; plasma transports nutrients, waste, and hormones throughout the body

Fluid connective tissue - Location

• Within blood vessels

• Within the heart

• Leukocytes located in lymphatic organs and can migrate to infected or inflamed tissues in the body