Connective Tissue• Features

– Cells far apart with matrix between• Matrix

– Protein fibers – Ground substance

• Not usually on body surface• Can be hard to liquid

– Bone and blood are connective

• Vascular – except cartilage and tendons

• High nerve supply- except cartilage

Connective Tissue Cells• Fibroblasts

– Secrete the fibers and matrix of tissue• Mast Cells

– Along blood vessels– Secrete histamine

• Macrophages– Do phagocytosis, are white blood cells

• Plasma cells – another white blood cell

• Adipocytes– Fat storage cells

Extra cellular Matrix• Ground Substance

– Contains different substances depending on tissue type

– Can be watery or cement like– Hyaluronic acid is viscous and slippery

for joints

Fibers• Collagen Fibers

– Largest– Strong– Flexible– Collagen protein– Bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments

• Elastic fibers – Smaller than collagen– Promotes ability to stretch– Marfan’s

• Reticular fibers– Smallest– Give support and strength– Stroma (framework) of some organs

Connective tissue types• Major types• Embryonic

– mesenchyme• Loose connective

– Areolar– Adipose– Reticular

• Dense Connective– Dense regular– Dense irregular– Elastic connective

• Cartilage– Hyaline– Fibrocartilage– Elastic cartilage

Mesenchyme

Areolar

Adipose

Reticular

Elastic connective

Dense irregular

Dense regular

Fibrocartilage

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Hyaline cartilage

Elastic cartilage

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http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ghisto/ct/c_42.html

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http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ghisto/ct/c_34.html

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Mesenchyme