Connective Tissue

Connective Tissue

1. Loose Connective Tissue

   • Forms lamina propria, supports overlying epithelium
   • A lot of ground substance
     • Fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages and leukocytes
   • Fewer collagen and elastic fibers

2. Dense Connective Tissue

   • Regular
     • Forms tendons, ligaments and apponeuroses
     • Very little ground substance
       • Fibroblasts, tendons and ligaments
     • Collagen fibers in bundies arranged in parallel or osthogonally
   • Irregular
     • Forms capsules and submucosae (reticular layer of skin)
     • Very little ground substance
       • Fibroblasts and skin
     • Collagen fibers in bundles with random orientation resists stretching

3. Specialised Connective Tissue

   • Cartilage
     • Chondrocytes are enclosed within the cavities present in the matrix ; provides flexibility
   • Blood
     • Fluid connective tissue and helps in transport of substances how to O2
   • Bone
     • Osteocytes are present within spaces "lacunae" ; provides support and protects the internal organs