5.3 – Connective Tissue Flashcards
___ are the most abundant, widely distributed, and histologically variable of the primary tissues
connective tissues
connective tissues include…
fibrous tissue
adipose tissue
cartilage
bone
blood
as a rule, connective tissue cells…
occupy less space than the extracellular matrix
usually their cells are not in direct contact w/ each other, but are separated by expanses of matrix
connective tissues vary greatly in ___, from rich networks of blood vessels in the loose connective tissues to few or no blood vessels in cartilage
vascularity
functions of connective tissue:
binding of organs
support
physical protection
immune protection
movement
storage
heat production
transport
___ connective tissue is the most diverse type of connective tissue
fibrous
components of fibrous connective tissue:
fibroblasts
macrophages
leukocytes
plasma cells
mast cells
adipocytes
components of fibrous connective tissue:
fibroblasts
large, stellate cells that often show slender, wispy branches
provide the fibers and ground substance that form the matrix of the tissue
components of fibrous connective tissue:
macrophages
large phagocytic cells that wander thru the connective tissues
engulf or destroy bacteria, other foreign particles, and dead or dying cells of our own body
activate the immune system when they sense foreign matter called antigens
arise from white blood cells called monocytes or other stem cells
components of fibrous connective tissue:
leukocytes (WBCs)
travel briefly in bloodstream and spend time in connective tissue
2 most common types:
neutrophils – wander about attacking bacteria
lymphocytes – react against bacteria, toxins, and other foreign agents. Often form dense patches in the mucous membranes
components of fibrous connective tissue:
plasma cells
certain lymphocytes turn into plasma cells when they detect foreign agents
plasma cells synthesize disease-fighting proteins called antibodies
usually seen in wall of intestines and inflamed tissue
components of fibrous connective tissue:
mast cells
secrete a chemical called heparin that inhibits blood clotting
secrete another chemical called histamine that increases blood flow by dilating blood vessels
components of fibrous connective tissue:
adipocytes (fat cells)
appear in small clusters in some fibrous connective tissues.
when they dominate an area, the tissue is called adipose tissue
of the 4 classes of tissue, ___ tissues are the most abundant, widely distributed, and historically variable of the primary tissues
connective
___ types of protein fibers are found in fibrous connective tissues
3
collagenous fibers
reticular fibers
elastic fibers
3 types of protein fibers in fibrous connective tissues:
collagenous fibers (def)
made of collagen
tough and flexible
resist stretching
body’s most abundant protein
has glistening white appearance –> “white fibers”
make up tendons, ligaments, and the dermis of skin
collagen pervades the matrix of cartilage and bone
3 types of protein fibers in fibrous connective tissues:
reticular fibers (def)
thin collagen fibers coated w/ glycoprotein
form a spongelike framework for organs like spleen and lymph nodes and constitute part of the basement membranes underlying epithelia
3 types of protein fibers in fibrous connective tissues:
elastic fibers (def)
thinner than collagenous fibers –> branch and rejoin each other along their course
made of elastin protein, coated with a glycoprotein (fibrillar)
the coiled structure of elastin allows it to stretch and recoil like a rubber band
elastic fibers account for the ability of the skin, lungs, and arteries to spring back after they are stretched
fibrous connective tissue is divided into 2 broad categories according to ___
2 broad categories:
relative abundance of fiber
loose and dense connective tissue
types of fibrous connective tissue:
loose connective tissue description
2 types
consists more of ground substance than fibers
areolar and reticular tissue
types of fibrous connective tissue:
dense connective tissue
2 types
fiber occupies more space than the cells and ground substance
appears closely packed in tissue section
dense regular and dense irregular connective tissue
loose connective tissue:
areolar tissue:
appearance:
loose arrangement of collagenous and elastic fibers
scattered cells of various types
abundant ground substance
numerous blood vessels
loose connective tissue:
areolar tissue:
representative locations:
underlying nearly all epithelia
surrounding blood vessels, nerves, esophagus, and trachea
fascia b/n muscles, mesenteries, visceral layers of pericardium and pleura
loose connective tissue:
areolar tissue:
functions:
loosely binds epithelia to deeper tissues
allows passage of nerves and blood vessels thru other tissues
provides an arena for immune defense
blood vessels provide nutrients and waste removal for overlying epithelia
loose connective tissue:
reticular tissue:
appearance:
loose network of reticular fibers and cells
infiltrated w/ numerous leukocytes, especially lymphocytes
loose connective tissue:
reticular tissue:
representative locations:
lymph nodes
spleen
thymus
bone marrow
loose connective tissue:
reticular tissue:
function:
forms supportive stroma (framework) for lymphatic organs
while preparing some chicken wings for cooking, observe white fibers connecting the bones and the muscles to bone. What type of fibers are these?
collagenous
of the 4 main tissue types, ___ tissues fills the spaces b/n other tissues and binds tissues to one another
connective
the 2 broad categories of fibrous connective tissue, based on the relative abundance of fibers, are ___ connective tissues
loose
dense
which connective tissue contains loosely arranged cells, elastic fibers, and collagenous fibers?
areolar connective tissue
which connective tissue is composed of loosely arranged reticular fibers and lymphocytes?
reticular connective tissue
which cell types are found in fibrous connective tissues?
fibroblasts
macrophages
leukocytes
plasma cells
mast cells
adipocytes
where is dense regular connective tissue found?
tendons and ligaments
what are the 3 fiber types found in fibrous connective tissue?
collagenous fibers
reticular fibers
elastic fibers
where would dense irregular connective tissue be found?
deeper portion of dermis of skin
capsules around viscera such as liver, kidney, spleen
fibrous sheaths around cartilage and bones
what are the 2 broad categories of fibrous connective tissue based on their relative abundance of fibers?
dense and loose
functions of ___ tissue include energy storage and thermal insulation
adipose
where would areolar connective tissue be found?
underlying nearly all epithelia
surrounding blood vessels, nerves, esophagus, and trachea
fascia b/n muscles
mesenteries
visceral layers of pericardium and pleura
___ is type of supportive connective tissue w/ a relatively rigid, but flexible matrix
cartilage
where is reticular tissue found?
lymph nodes
spleen
thymus
bone marrow
which cartilage is characterized by bundles of coarse collagenous fibers in the matrix?
fibrocartilage
in dense regular connective tissue, the collagen fibers are ___
closely packed
what is a location of dense irregular tissue?
fibrous sheath around bones
adipocytes are the predominant cell type in which connective tissue?
adipose
the tissue found w/in the heads of long bones and the middle layer of flat bones is ___ bone
spongy
which of the following is a relatively vascular class of connective tissue?
cartilage
hyaline cartilage is named for its ___, ___ appearance, which stems from the usually ___ ___ of its collagen fibers
clear, glassy
invisible fineness
elastic cartilage is named for its ___ ___ fibers
conspicuous elastic
fibrocartilage is named for its ___, readily ___ bundles of collagen
coarse
visible
elastic cartilage and most hyaline cartilage are surrounded by a sheath of dense, irregular connective tissue called ___
perichondrium
perichondrium (def)
sheath of dense, irregular connective tissue that surrounds elastic and most hyaline cartilage
bone tissue is also known as ___ tissue
osseous tissue
the ground substance of blood is ___
plasma
unlike other connective tissues, blood doesn’t exhibit ___ except when it ___
fibers
clots
which tissue would be the best at resisting pulling forces applied from several directions?
dense irregular connective tissue
what are the formed elements of blood?
3 things:
erythrocytes
leukocytes
platelets
where would you find spongy bone?
in the heads of long bones
w/in the interior of flat and irregular bones
___ is a type of supportive connective tissue w/ a relatively rigid, but flexible matrix
cartilage
the liquid portion of blood is called ___
plasma
erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes are types of which of the following?
formed elements
