Specialized Connective Tissues

Chapter 4 (Marieb)

Cartilage

• 3 Types: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage• All three are composed of chondrocytes• They differ based on their fiber composition

Hyaline Cartilage

• A rubbery type of cartilage• Contains more cartilage than elastic but less

than fibrocartilage• This is the human version of rubber• Found on the ends of long bones, the sternal

ends of the ribs, the larynx, trachea, bronchi

Hyaline Cartilage

http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/cchc.gif

Elastic Cartilage

• Contains chondrocytes• Similar to hyaline but has much more elastin• Found in the ear lobe, Eustachian tube, larynx,

epiglottis• This is the most flexible of the three types of

cartilage

Elastic Cartilage

http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/ccec3.GIF

Fibrocartilage

• Contains chondrocytes• Has the highest amount of collagen in the

ECM• Found in areas of the body that need to

withstand compressive force• Knee (menisci), intervertebral disks, pubic

symphysis

Fibrocartilage Transverse Section

http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/ccfts.gif

Bone

• The hardest and most highly specialized of all connective tissues

• Minerals mix within the ECM gels and cause this tissue to become hard

• Contains osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts• Functions: physical protection, mineral

storage, mineral homeostasis, pH balance, hematopoiesis

Compact Bone: Osteons

http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cb/cbgbhs.GIF

Blood

• Considered a connective tissue because of the mixing of plasma proteins and cells (cells and gels)

• Contains erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets

• Functions: gas transport, pH balance, nutrient transport, immunity, hemostasis

Erythrocytes & Neutrophil

http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cbl/cbln.GIF