Connective Tissue Flashcards
Connective tissue proper
connect and protect
Fluid connective tissues
transport
Supporting connective tissues
structural strength
Loose connective tissue
-More ground substance, fewer fibers
-For example, fat (adipose tissue)
Dense connective tissue
Connective tissues proper, tightly packed with high numbers of collagen or elastic fibers
Ground Substance
-Is clear, colorless, and viscous
-Fills spaces between cells and slows pathogen movement
White Fat
-Most common
-Stores fat
-Absorbs shocks
-Slows heat loss (insulation)
Brown Fat
-More vascularized
-Adipocytes have many mitochondria
-When stimulated by nervous system, fat breakdown accelerates, releasing energy
-Absorbs energy from surrounding tissues
Reticular Tissue
-Provides support
-Complex, three-dimensional network
-Supportive fibers (stroma)
->Support functional cells (parenchyma)
-Reticular organs
->Spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and bone marrow
Dense Regular Connective Tissue
Tightly packed, parallel collagen fibers
- Tendons attach muscles to bones
-Ligaments connect bone to bone and stabilize organs
- Aponeuroses attach in sheets to large, flat muscles
Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
Interwoven networks of collagen fibers
-Layered in skin
-Around cartilages (perichondrium)
-Around bones (periosteum)
-Form capsules around some organs (e.g., liver, kidneys)
Elastic Tissue
Made of elastic fibers
-For example, elastic ligaments of spinal vertebrae
Mucous Membranes
Mucous membranes are coated with the secretions of mucous glands. These membranes line most of the digestive and respiratory tracts and portion of the urinary and reproductive tracts.
The epithelial surfaces of these passageways must be kept moist to reduce friction and, in many cases, to facilitate absorption or secretion.
The areolar tissue (connective type of tissue) component of a mucous membrane is called the lamina propria.
Serous Membranes
Serous membranes line the sealed, internal cavities of the trunk - cavities that are not open to the exterior. These membranes consist of a mesothelium supported by areolar tissue. Serous membranes are very thin, but they are firmly attached to the body wall and to the organs they cover.
The primary function of any serous membrane is to minimize friction between the surfaces that it covers. It has a fluid transudate that does so.
Each serous membrane can be divided into a parietal portion, which lines the inner surface of the cavity, and an opposing visceral portion, or serosa, which covers the outer surfaces of visceral organs.
Types of Serous Membranes
- Pleura - lines pleural cavities; covers the lungs
- Peritoneum - lines peritoneal cavity; covers abdominal organs
- Pericardium - lines pericardial cavity; covers heart
Cutaneous Membrane
Cutaneous Membrane is the skin that covers the surface of your body. In contrast to serous and mucous membranes, the cutaneous membrane is thick, relatively waterproof, and usually dry.
Synovial Membrane
Synovial membranes line moving articular joint cavities, where two bones meet. This membrane produces synovial fluid (lubricant), its purpose is to allow the surfaces to easily slide past one another. Synovial membranes also protect the ends of the bones so that the bone itself doesn’t have excessive wear and tear where the two bones are constantly bending and sliding past one another. This membrane also lacks a true epithelium because its epithelium is not continuous meaning there are gaps where cells are not contacting each other.
Characteristics of Connective Tissue
Specialized cells; Solid extracellular protein fibers; and fluid extracellular ground substance
Functions of Connective Tissue
- Establishing a structural framework for the body
-Transporting fluids and dissolved materials
-Protecting delicate organs
-Supporting, surrounding, and interconnecting other types of tissue
-Storing energy reserves, especially in the form of triglycerides
-Defending the body from invading microorganisms
Fibroblasts
The most abundant cell type. Found in all connective tissue proper. They secrete proteins and hyaluronan (cellular content)
Fibrocytes
The second most abundant cell type. Found in all connective tissue proper. Maintains the fibers of connective tissue proper