Connective Tissue

Question 1

Describe mesenchymal cells.

Answer 1

A type of stem cell. irregularly shaped with multiple processes. Usually found adjacent to blood vessels

Question 2

Describe fibroblasts.

Answer 2

Fibroblasts are active, long and branched cells with an pvoid nucleus. Synthesize fibers and ground substance

Fribrocytes are resting, rounded cells.

Question 3

Describe myofibroblasts.

Answer 3

Can actin filaments and participate in wound healing.

Question 4

Describe reticular cells.

Answer 4

Stellate-shaped with a spherical nucleus and basophilic cytoplasm. Produce reticular fibers.

Question 5

What are the two types of adipocytes? Describe them.

Answer 5

Unilocular adipocytes are filled with large lipid droplets so the nucleus is displaced to the periphery.

Multilocular adipocytes have multiple lipid droplets and a centrally located nucleus. Have a lot of mitochondria. aka brown fat

Question 6

Describe pericytes.

Answer 6

Elongated cells located near blood vessels and can differentiate. Contain actin and myosin to participate in wound healing.

Question 7

Describe mast cells.

Answer 7

Found in loose connective tissue and around blood vessels. Can be spherical or ovoid with granules, release histamine and heparin (anticoagulant).

Stain with toludine blue to make the granules appear red.

Question 8

Describe plasma cells.

Answer 8

Spherical or ovoid with an eccentric nucleus that looks like cart-wheel-like appearance. Cytoplasm is intensely basophilic. Produce antibodies.

Question 9

With what can you stain collagen fibers?

Answer 9

Stained red with Van Gieson’s Method and blue with Mallory’s and Masson’s Trichrome stain.

Question 10

Where can you find reticular fibers?

Answer 10

Liver, endocrine, and lymphatic organs.

Question 11

With what can you stain reticular fibers?

Answer 11

Silver impregnation or PAS reagent.

Question 12

What is the basic unit of reticular fibers?

Answer 12

Type III collagen coated with proteoglycans and glycoproteins.

Question 13

Where can elastic fibers be found?

Answer 13

Aorta, muscular arteries, nuchal ligament, pinna of the ear, and lungs.

Question 14

With what can you stain elastic fibers?

Answer 14

Hematoxylin and Eosin (stains light pink) or orcein and resorcin-fuchsin.

Question 15

What is the basic unit of elastic fibers?

Answer 15

Elastin protein, covered by glycoprotein (fibrillin).

Question 16

What are the two types of embryonic connective tissue?

Answer 16

Mesenchymal and mucous/gelatinous connective tissue.

Question 17

Describe mesenchymal connective tissue.

Answer 17

Composed of mesenchymal cells and fluid-filled ground substance.

Question 18

Describe mucous/gelatinous connective tissue.

Answer 18

Composed of fibroblasts and viscous ground substance and collagen fibers.

Question 19

Describe loose/areolar connective tissue.

Answer 19

Predominantly ground substance, some scattered cells, and collagenous, reticular, and elastic fibers.

Question 20

Where can loose/areolar connective tissue be found?

Answer 20

Beneath the epithelium (lamina propria, hypodermis), around blood vessels and nerves, and in serous membranes.

Question 21

Describe dense connective tissue.

Answer 21

Composed of thick collagenous fibers and few fibroblast cells,

Question 22

Where is dense irregular connective tissue found?

Answer 22

Capsules of the organs and deep layers of the dermis.

Question 23

Where is dense regular connective tissue found?

Answer 23

Tendons, ligaments, and aponeurosis.

Question 24

Describe elastic tissue.

Answer 24

Regularly or irregularly arranged elastic fibers.

Question 25

Give an example of elastic tissue.

Answer 25

Nuchal ligament and vocal ligament.

Question 26

Give an example of reticular tissue.

Answer 26

Spleen, lymph node, and liver.

Question 27

Describe adipose tissue.

Answer 27

Adipocytes wuth loose connective tissue of mesenteries.

Question 28

Where can adipose tissue be found?

Answer 28

Around blood vessels and nerves.

Question 29

Does cartilage have blood supply?

Answer 29

Only around the peripheries.

Question 30

How can you tell apart a chondroblast from a chondrocyte?

Answer 30

Chondroblast cells are oval shaped and are found on the peripheries where cartilage deposition occurs. Chondrocytes are located within lacunae deep in the tissue.

Question 31

Describe cartilage matrix.

Answer 31

Composed of fibers and ground substance with chondroitin sulphate, keratin sulphate, hyaluronic acid, chondronectin, and fibronectin (adhesive molecules).

Question 32

Describe Hyaline cartilage.

Answer 32

Chondrocytes in lacuna or clusters (isogenous groups), ground substance with type II collagen (same refractive index as ground substance), surrounded by perichondrium with collagen fibers on the exterior but not interior.

Question 33

Where can hyaline cartilage be found?

Answer 33

Articular surfaces of the bones, nose, and trachea.

Question 34

Describe elastic cartilage.

Answer 34

Large amount of elastic fibers with ground substance, surrounded by perichondrium with a fibrous outer layer.

Question 35

Where can elastic cartilage be found?

Answer 35

Pinna and epiglottis.

Question 36

Describe fibrocartilage.

Answer 36

Predominantly type I collagen fibers, lack a distinct perichondrium but surrounded by collagen fibers.

Question 37

What shape do osteoblasts take?

Answer 37

They vary from columnar to squamous.

Question 38

Describe osteoblasts.

Answer 38

Found at the surface of the bone, nucleus is located in the basal region

Question 39

What do osetoblasts secrete?

Answer 39

Osteoid

Question 40

Where can fibrocartilage be found?

Answer 40

Intervertebral discs and menisci.

Question 41

Describe osteocytes.

Answer 41

Lie in lacuna surrounded by interstitial matrix, which they secrete. Have long processes that extend to other adjacent osteocytes.

Question 42

Describe osteoclasts.

Answer 42

Multinucleated with a ruffled cell border. Secrete acid and lysosomal enzymes for bone resorption.

Question 43

What makes up the periosteum?

Answer 43

Fibrous and osteogenic layers.

Question 44

Where is periosteum located?

Answer 44

On bone surfaces, except on the articular surfaces an where tendons and ligaments insert on the bone.

Question 45

Where is endosteum located?

Answer 45

Lines the marrow cavity in a single layer of squamous cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Question 46

What is the composition of spongy bone?

Answer 46

Bony plates and spicules.

Question 47

Where can intramembranous ossification be observed?

Answer 47

In the skull bones, except the base of the skull.

Question 48

Where can endochondral ossification be observed?

Answer 48

In the appendicular skeleton, vertebral column, and base of the skull.