Connective Tissue Flashcards
(30 cards)
Connective Tissues (GENERAL)
- most abundant in the body; highly diverse
- provides STRUCTURAL and METABOLIC support for other tissues
- physical support
- transport (blood)
- protect, insulate, and cushions
- binding
- fill spaces
- storage
- cells are well separated via extensive matrix
- capable of mitosis
- highly vascularized
3 Main Branches of CT (originating from the mesenchyme)
- CT proper
- Supportive CT
- Fluid CT
CT Proper
Fibroblast= (Fibro=fiber) (blast= germ or bud)
produces matrix fibers
large, flat branched cells
-adipocytes
Supportive CT
Chondrocytes- Chondro= cartilage
osteocytes- osteo=bone
IN blood
cells: rbc, wbc, and platelets
Matrix of CT can be:
- liquid material: blood the PLASMA
- Fiberous: in the CT Proper
- Densely Solid: Supportive (bone)
Matrix of CT Proper
- Collagenous Fiber
- Elastic Fiber
- Reticular Fiber (rete-net)
Collagenous Fiber
-tough, flexible, whitish, and resist stretching (ligaments and tendons)
Elastic Fiber
contains protein elastin
stretch and recoil- yellowish arteries, respiratory passages, and skin
Reticular fibers
Rete- net
delicate, form network, not individually strong
(ex. lymph nodes, spleen, liver)
MATRIX - Fiber =
Ground substance
Ground substance
non-fiberous, contains minerals and molecules
varies in substance- viscous to solid
surrounds/contains cells and fibers
does not = Matrix
CT Proper Types
Areolar Loose CT
Adipose
Reticular CT
Areolar Loose CT
most general type, no general arrangement
- binds and packs tissues
- connects skin to muscle (part of fascia)
- surrounds nerves and blood vessels- holds things in place
- highly vascular
Contains: interstitial fluid- fluid in between lots of things, fibers, fibroblasts, and immune cells
-flexible in all directions
Adipose
mostly adipocytes and very few fibers
- stores fat, cushions organs (kidneys), insulates (body heat)
- organelles are pushed to the edges
- energy storage throughout the body
Reticular CT
- network of fibers, fibroblasts, some immune cells
- spleen, liver, lymph nodes, thymus
Dense Connective tissue
Dense regular CT
Dense Irregular CT
Elastic CT
Dense Regular CT
Large amounts of white because of collagen
- Strong in the direction that the fibers run
ex: tendons and ligaments - Poor blood supply- slower to heal- need blood to heal
Dense Irregular CT
Collagen and Elastin protein (with a little more ground substance)
- vascularized (good blood supply)
- Fibers interwoven= strong in all directions
- Found in skin and surrounding some joints
- Found around the bone (Periosteum) peri=around
- Found around cartilage- perichondrial
Elastic CT
elastic fibers and collagen
- can stretch and rebound
- found in the heart an d blood vessels and respiratory system
Supporting CT
Cartilage
Bone
Cartilage (general)
chondrocytes (single or clusters) in cavities (lacunae) in semisolid matrix they secrete
- supportive and protective
- associated with articulating surfaces of bone
- surrounded by perichondrium - contains blood supply and stem cells
- avascular when mature- cartilage is slow to heal
Types of Cartilage
Hyaline Cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Elastic Cartilage
Hyaline Cartilage (glasslike)
- weakest but most abundant
- made of very fine collagen fibers
- on ends of bone (gristle)
- in embryo- replaced by bone
- in trachea (the rings)
- in the ends of ribs
- nose
- most has perichondrium
