A&P Connective Tissue Terms
dense regular connective tissue
Closely packed bundles of collagen fibers running in same direction - fibers regular and parallel; Great resistance to tension; Crowded between collagen fibers are fibroblasts that make fibers & ground substance; Found in tendons, ligaments, aponeuroses, and fascia
adipose tissue
Commonly called fat; contains adipocytes; Droplet of oil occupies most of adipocyte & compresses nucleus; insulates body and protects from bumps and extremes of heat & cold; Cushions individual organs and stores fat for fuel if needed
dense elastic connective tissue
Elastic fibers & fibroblasts; Allows stretching of various organs and elasticity (returns to original shape); Lungs, walls of trachea, arteries, bronchial tubes, true vocal cords, and some ligaments
loose reticular connective tissue
Made of reticular cells (resemble fibroblasts) & reticular fibers; Limited to certain sites - forms "stroma" (internal framework that supports free blood cells in lymphoid organs) & binds together smooth muscle
vascular tissue (blood)
Plasma + formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes); has a fluid matrix & soluble protein fibers that are only visible when clotting; Transport vehicle for cardivoascular system; Carries nutrients, wastes & respiratory gases; immunity; clotting
dense irregular connective tissue
Randomly arranged collagen fibers & few fibroblasts; provides strength in places where pulling in various directions occurs; Fascia, dermis of skin, periosteum, perichondrium, joint capsules, membrane capsules around organs, heart valves
types of loose connective tissue
adipose, areolar, reticular
edema
areolar tissue in area soaks up excess fluid when area is inflamed - area swells and becomes puffy
ligaments
attach bone to bone (formed from dense connective tissue)
tendons
attach muscle to bone (formed from dense connective tissue)
matrix of vascular tissue
blood plasma
osteocytes
bone cells
osseous tissue
bone; composed of osteocytes sitting in lacunae; Surrounded by layers of very hard matrix of calcium salts & collagen fibers; Exceptional ability to protect & support other body organs; Great strength & some flexibility; Movement, storing minerals, houses blood-forming tissue, stores lipids
avascular connective tissue with no nerve supply
cartilage
chondrocytes
cartilage cells
elastic cartilage
cartilage found in structures with elasticity; Threadlike fibers in gel matrix; Support & maintains shape; Strength & exceptional stretchability; formsEpiglottis ("lid" on larynx), auditory tubes, & supports external ear
fibrocartilage
cartilage that is highly compressible and used for support & fusion, contains collagen fibers; strongest type of cartilage; forms the cushionlike disks between the vertebrae of the spinal column, Pubic symphysis, meniscus of knee
no free surface, highly vascular, nerve supply, lots of extracellular material
characteristics of connective tissue
mucous (Wharton's jelly)
connective tissue found in the umbilical cord of the fetus
adipocytes
fat cells
elastic fibers
fiber for strength & stretching; skin, blood vessels, lungs (smaller than collagen fibers)
collagen fibers
fiber that is tough & resistant to stretching/pulling forces; bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments; most abundant protein fiber in the body
Fibroblasts
fiber-forming cells; manufacture the building blocks of the fibers
reticular fibers
fibers formed from combination of collagen + glycoproteins; support in blood vessel walls & form strong supporting network around fat cells, nerve fibers, skeletal/smooth muscle fibers; form basement membrane and framework of soft organs
protect, support, bind together tissues, transport, insulation
functions of connective tissue
matrix
ground substance + fibers; determines tissue's qualities
blast cells
immature cells that can secrete matrix and undergo mitosis
hyaline cartilage
most widespread cartilage; has abundant collagen fibers hidden by a rubbery matrix with a glassy, blue-white appearance; forms supporting structures of larynx (voice box), attaches ribs to the breastbone, and covers the ends of many bones where they form joints; Makes up the fetal skeleton & epiphyseal (growth) plates in long bones during youth
thrombocytes
platelets; formed elements of blood used for clotting
erythrocytes
red blood cells; carry oxygen and carbon dioxide
loose areolar connective tissue
tissue contains all three types of fibers, semi-fluid ground substance, several cells; Most widely distributed connective tissue; Soft, pliable - cushions and protects body organs; Universal packing tissue and connective tissue "glue"; Holds organs together and in proper positions; Reservoir of water and salts for surrounding tissues ; All cells obtain nutrients from & release wastes into this "tissue fluid"; Phagocytes scavenge for bacteria and debris and dead cells in this tissue to destroy
living cells & nonliving extracellular matrix
two basic elements of connective tissue
mesenchyme
undifferentiated connective tissue cells in embryo
leukocytes
white blood cells; immune response