Connective Tissue Flashcards
Connective Tissue
Giving the body and organs the strength to resist external forces
Protect internal organs
Allows for movement of muscles
Collagen Fibers
thick strong and resistant to stretch that
Reticular Fibers
thinner and less strong and keep cells in place
Elastic Fibers
thinnest can be stretched and can spring back to place
Areolar Connective Tissue
Structure: contains all three types of fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular), which are distributed randomly and crisscross in all directions
Function:Provide support, strength, and elasticity to overlying epithelial tissue
-Plays a role in inflammation and immune system defenses due to containing cells involved the inflammation process and immune system function
Location: Under the top layer of skin
Reticular Connective Tissue
Structure: a branched and mesh-like pattern, due to the arrangement of reticular fibers
Function: Provide Structural Support, framework for blood-forming cells, immune defenses
Location: Lymph nodes, Bone marrow, Spleen
Adipose Connective Tissue
Structure: mainly composed of round, fat cells called adipocytes
Function: Reservoir for fuel, thermal insulation, and cushioning for organs
Location: under your skin , between your internal organs, and even in the inner cavities of bones
Regular Dense connective tissue
Structure: Collagen fibers that are mostly parallel to each other
Function: Transfer forces to the bones
Locations: Tendons and ligaments
Irregular Dense Connective Tissue
Structure: Composed of collagen fibers that go in different directions
Function:Resisting stretching forces
Location: Skin and joints
Dense Elastic Connective Tissue
Structure: Made of squiggly elastic fibers that go in the same direction
Function: Resisting to stretching
Location: Found in the airways and large arteries
