Fluid connective tissue

Fluid connective tissue

1. blood and lymph are connective tissue fluid matrix that surrounds cells includes many suspended proteins that do not form insoluble fibers

   • in blood, watery matrix is called plasma
     • plasma — contains formed elements — blood cells and fragments of cells
       • RBC
       • WBC
       • platelets
   • body has a lot of extracellular fluid, includes three subdivisions — plasma, interstitial fluid, lymph

2. Fluid tissue transport systems

   • plasma — confined to vessels of cardiovascular system
   • arteries — carry blood away from heart and into tissues of body
   • in those tissues, blood pressure forces water and small solutes out of bloodstream across walls of capillaries (smallest blood vessel)
   • remaining blood flows from capillaries into veins that return to heart
   • lymph — forms as interstitial fluid enters lymphatic vessels monitored by immune system so lymph transported by lymphatic (lymphoid) system lymphatic vessels return lymph to large veins near heart (venous system)