connective tissue 1 A Flashcards
Connective tissues (CT) function to:
connect and regulate other tissue types in every organ in the body.
ct are found _____.
under the basal surface of epithelia, and around muscles and nerves
what type of c.t. do blood vessels not course through?
cartilage
ct forms a
huge continuous compartment separated from other tisue types by various basal laminae
C.t. common features
- ECM
2.
extracellular matrix (ECM) is made up of
structural fibers, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides secreted by a relatively small number of cell types
The similarities among connective tissues reflect the ___
common origin of these cells from similar precursors
the core cell types of many connective tissues are ______
similar to each other (though not identical), and in some cases may be capable of deriving from each other.
all connective tissues are related, they are highly diverse due to not only cell type diversity but especially variations in the ECM.
Loose and dense connective tissues____.
surround and permeate all of the organs of the body in diverse forms
superficial fascia
The connective tissues near the body surface (directly below the skin) form a nearly continuous compartment of relatively loose and easily dissected tissue
superficial fascia contains ____
several distinct layers of connective tissue.
Deeper to superficial fascia is the _____
deep fascia, which in general is a much tougher region of dense connective tissue at the gross level.
Again, the deep fascia consists of:
multiple distinct connective tissue elements, which includes the prominent thick epimysium (outer covering) of the muscles.
Several dense connective structures are organized into _____
specific functional units; these include the ligaments of joints that attach bone to bone, the tendons that attach muscle to bone, and various capsules and coverings (such as the knee capsule).
Finally, all bones and cartilage structures are made of _____
specialized connective tissue
CT function
- To provide mechanical strength and support for the specialized tissues of organs
- To conduct and control the exchange of nutrients, metabolites, and signaling ligands between different cell types of organs, and between organ cell types and blood vessels.
- To directly control the behavior and functions of cells that contact the connective tissue matrix (the ECM).
regulatory functions of ECM:
- The control of epithelial cell polarization and shape
- The guidance and regulation of cell migration through the matrix
- The control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism
Defense against infectious agents (viruses and bacteria). - Control of tissue formation, organization, and modification of tissue structure upon physiological stimulation and disease.
- The control of inflammation and repair due to injury.
Connective tissues are very _____.
dynamic
CT cells can be stimulated to _____.
proliferate and to differentiate throughout life
changes in the ECM can _____
modify the function, development and metabolism of cells
the core resident cells of the CT function to:
produce and secrete components of the ECM
List of core resident cells of the CT family
- mesenchymal cells
- fibroblasts
- myofibroblasts
- adipocytes
- osteoblasts and osteocytes
- chondrocytes
- some smooth muscle cells
Mesenchymal cells are
precursors to all of the connective tissue family members; they primarily function in embryogenesis, but small numbers of them may persist through adulthood to function as stem cells for generation of new connective tissues.
Fibroblasts are
the pre-eminent cells of most connective tissues in the body
Myofibroblasts-
- derivatives of fibroblasts
- are capable of smooth muscle-like function
- found in connective tissues that require a contractile function.
- often generated at the site of wounds where their contractile function contributes to retraction and shrinkage of scar tissue
Adipocytes are derivatives of ____
fibroblasts and/or primitive mesenchymal cells.
The main type of adipocyte found in adults functions to ______; tissue containing these cells is called “_____”.
store fat as energy for other cell types
white fat
A distinct type of adipocyte is prominent in newborns and children; it contains _____. Tissue with these cells is called
many mitochondria that convert fatty acid into heat
“brown fat”.
osteocytes and osteoblasts make
bone
chondrochytes make
cartilage
Some smooth muscle cells, particularly those in the walls of blood vessels, make _____.
some of the extracellular matrix components in which they are imbedded.
These (but possibly not all) smooth muscle cells derive from the same types of precursors as other connective tissue cells, which would explain their ability to synthesize and secrete similar types of ECM components.
