Connective Tissue

Connective Tissue

1. Embryonic

   • present primarily in the embryo or fetus
   • Mesenchyme
     • found almost exclusively in the embryo
     • irregularly shaped cells
     • semifluid ground substance with reticular cells

2. Loose

   • areolar
     • cell types= fibroblasts, plasma cells, macrophages, mast cells, and a few white blood cells
     • Elastic, Collagen, Reticular is present in the tissue
     • found in the subcutaneous layer of the integument
   • adipose
     • consists of adipocytes which are specialized for storage of triglycerides
     • reduces heat loss through the skin, serves energy reserves, supports, protects and generates considerable heat.
     • Periperal nuceli due to large storage droplet
   • Reticular
     • fine interfacing reticular fibers and reticular cells
     • forms stroma and certain organs
     • helps bind together the cells of smooth muscle

3. Dense

   • Regular
     • Collagen Fibers in parallel bundles
     • White, tough and pilable when unstained (forms tendons and ligaments)
     • also known as white fibrous connective tissue
   • Irregular
     • collagen fibers that are irregularly arranged and found in parts of the body where tension extered in various shape
     • found in heart valves, the perichondrium, the tissue surronding the cartilage, and the periosteum
     • Tissue can resist tension from any direction
   • Elastic
     • branching elastic fibers and fibroblasts
     • can stretch and still return to orginal shape
     • lung tissue, vocal chords, ligament between vertebrae

4. Cartilage

   • hyaline
     • most abundant, but weakest
     • has fine collagen fibers embedded in a gel-type matrix
     • affords ability and support at joints, reduces friction and absorbs shock
   • fibrocartilage
     • contains bundles of collagen fibers in its matrix
     • lacks perichondrium
     • many more collagen fibers causes rigidity and stiffness
     • Strongest of the 3 types of cartilage
   • Elastic
     • contains a threadlike network of elastic fibers
     • perchondrium is present
     • provides strenght and elasticity
     • mantains the shape of certain organs

5. Bone

   • Spongy
     • sponge-like with spaces and trabeculae
     • trabeculae=struts of bone surrounded by red bone marrow
   • Compact
     • solid, dense
     • basic unit of the structure is osteon
   • protects and provides for movement, stores minerals, site of blood cell formation