Structural Anatomy Week 3

Connective Tissue Overview

Connective tissue is a vital substance in the body, particularly found in muscular and skeletal tissues. It includes ligaments, tendons, muscle sheaths, bones, and adipose (fat) tissue. Roles of connective tissue encompass binding/support, protection, insulation, and transportation.

Components of Connective Tissue

Key components include:

  • Ground Substance: Fills spaces and forms the extracellular matrix.
  • Fibers: Types include collagen (tensile strength), elastic (recoil), and reticular (network support).
  • Cells: Immature (blast) cells help build tissue, while mature (cyte) cells maintain it.

Classifications of Connective Tissue

  1. Connective Tissue Proper: Includes dense (tendons, ligaments) and loose (adipose) variations.
  2. Cartilage: Avascular and specialized; types are hyaline (friction reduction), fibrocartilage (shock absorption), and elastic (flexibility).
  3. Bone: Composed of compact and spongy types, forming the skeletal structure.
  4. Blood: A unique form of connective tissue, involved in nutrient transport and waste expulsion.

Bone Anatomy

Functions of the skeleton include support, protection, movement facilitation, and storage/supply of minerals (like calcium).

  • Compact Bone: Solid outer layer; contains the Haversian system for blood vessels and nerves.
  • Spongy Bone: Honeycomb structure filled with bone marrow, producing blood cells.

Bone Classification

Bones are classified by shape:

  1. Long Bones: Longer than wide (e.g., femur).
  2. Short Bones: Equal length on all sides (e.g., carpals).
  3. Flat Bones: Thin and slightly curved (e.g., ribs, skull).
  4. Irregular Bones: Complex shapes (e.g., vertebrae).
  5. Sesamoid Bones: Found within tendons (e.g., patella).

Structure of Long Bones

  • Diaphysis: Shaft containing periosteum, compact bone, and the medullary cavity (yellow marrow in adults).
  • Epiphysis: End parts with articular cartilage (reducing friction) and spongy bone (red marrow).
  • Epiphyseal Line: Indicates growth plate in young, fuses when growth ceases.

This outline serves as a key reference for understanding the basics of connective tissue, its classifications, and the anatomical structure and functions of bones in the human body.