Connective Tissue Flashcards
Connective tissue
• few scattered cells surrounded by large amounts of extracellular matrix
• Develop from mesoderm
• Cells do not have free surfaces
• Highly vascularized (rich blood supply) + has a nerve supply
2 basic elements
Cells
Extracellular matrix
Fibroblasts
large, flat cells w/ branching processes. In all connective tissues; most abundant. Makes extracellular matrix
Macrophages
phagocytes; monocytes (WBC) —> turns into macrophage in tissue. Gather at sites of infection/inflammation to carry on phagocytosis
Plasma cells
develop from B-lymphocytes; mostly in GI +respiratory tracts
Mast cells
inflammatory reaction to injury+infection , binds to/ kills bacteria
Adipocytes
fat /adipose cells; store triglycerides. Around heart + kidneys
Eosinophils
WBC’s ; migrate to parasitic infection + allergic reaction
Neutrophils
WBC’s ; migrate to infection ,destroy microbes in phagocytosis
Leukocytes (WBC’s)
From blood —> tissue —> sites of parasitic invasions + allergic responses.
Ground substance
connective tissue between cells + fibres;
- Composed of: water + hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate + glucosamine
Extracellular matrix
— in spaces between connective tissue cells
— composed of; fibres + ground substance
Fibres
provide strength + support to tissue
Collagen fibres
collagen ; most abundant protein in our body ; largest
Elastic fibres
elastin + fibrillin ; smaller
Reticular fibres
collagen + glycoprotein ; smallest
Embryonic Connective Tissue
- Mesenchyme
- Mucous
Mature Connective Tissue
- Strong in 1 plane not twist or turn
- Loose ( areolar, adipose, reticular )
- Dense ( regular, irregular, elastic )
Supporting connective tissue
- Cartilage ( hyaline, fibrocartilage, elastic )
- Bone ( compact, spongy )
Liquid connective tissue
- Blood
- Lymph