Connective Tissues

Connective Tissue

• Makes up part of every organ in the body

• Unique tissue because it has a extracellular matrix which separates the cells in this tissue.

Functions• Encloses and Separates: form capsules around

organs, forms layers that separate tissues and organs.

• Connecting tissues to one another: tendons = attach muscle to bones, ligaments = hold bones to bones.

• Supporting and moving: bones, semiridged cartilage supports nose, ears and surfaces of joints.

• Storing: adipose tissue stores high-energy molecules and bones store minerals

Functions

• Cushioning and insulating: Adipose tissues cushions and protects surrounding tissues, insulates layer beneath skin (conserves heat).

• Transporting: blood transports substances throughout the body

• Protecting: immune cells and blood provide protection against toxins and tissue injury.

Extracellular Matrix

• This matrix gives connective tissue types the ability to do their job. For example: the extracellular matrix allows bones and cartilage to bear weight.

• Provides support and anchorage for cells.

Components of Extracellular Matrix• 3 major components

– Protein Fibers– Ground substance– Fluid

• Protein Fibers in Matrix:– Collagen fibers: proteins. Looks like a microscopic

rope.– Reticular fibers: very fine collagen fibers, short and thin– Elastic fibers: contain the protein, elastin. Elastin looks

like tiny coiled springs.

Cells involved in Maintaining Connective Tissues

• Suffixes for cells involved in making, maintaining and destroying the extracellular matrix:– Blasts = create matrix– Cytes = maintain the matrix– Clasts = breaks down matrix for remodeling

• Prefixes = name of tissue• Example: chondrocytes = chondro- is cartilage and -

cyte is to maintain the matrix. Chondrocytes maintain cartilage.

Types of Connective Tissue

Mesenchyme

• Location: Embryonic Tissue

• Structure: Irregularly shaped

• Function: Form connective tissues as well as muscle, & blood vessels.

Mucous

• Location: Umbilical cords of newborns

• Structure: Mesenchymal tissue Irregularly shaped

• Function: Connects fetus to mother

Loose or Areolar

• Location: Under epithelial tissue. Packing material between muscles, nerves and glands.

• Structure: Cells within a network of collagen fibers.

• Function: Packing, support and provide nutrients.

Dense Regular Collagenous

• Location: Tendons and Ligaments

• Structure: Collagen fibers running in mostly the same direction.

• Function: Withstands pulling, has great strength and stretch resistance.

Dense Regular Elastic Tissue

• Location: Ligaments between vertebrae & vocal cords

• Structure: Collagen and elastin fibers run in same direction

• Function: Like rubber bands – stretches and recoils in the direction of fibers.

Dense Irregular Collagenous

• Location: Dermis of the skin. Surrounds organs.

• Structure: Collagen fibers run in all directions

• Function: Stretching skin, can handle stretching in all directions

Bone

Bone

Cartilage: Hyaline

Cartilage: Hyaline

Cartilage: Fibrocartilage

Adipose Tissue

Reticular Connective Tissue

Blood