Connective tissue Flashcards
Loose - connective proper
Fibers create a loose, open framework
- Areolar Connective Tissue: The most common type, found beneath the skin, around organs, and in the spaces between tissues.
- Adipose Tissue: Specialized for fat storage, providing insulation and energy reserves.
- Reticular Tissue: Forms a network of fibers that provides support for soft organs like lymph nodes and the spleen.
Dense - Connective Proper
Fibers Densely packed
- Dense regular - parallel collagen support in one direction
- Dense irregular - randomly arranged collagen support in multiple directions
- Elastic - elastic fibre
Blood - Fluid connective tissue
Contained in cardiovascular system
Lymph - Fluid Connective
Contained in lymphatic system
Cartilage - Supporting connective
Solid, rubbery matrix
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrous cartilage
- Hyaline Cartilage
Supporting connective - Bone
- Spongy
- Compact
What is the main difference between dense and loose connective tissue?
Dense connective tissue has a high density of fibers, often arranged in a regular or irregular pattern, while loose connective tissue has fewer fibers and more ground substance, leading to a looser, more flexible structure
What connective tissue is avascular?
Cartilage
Why do tendons, ligaments and cartilage heal slower than other connective tissues such as bone
Bones have a rich blood supply, facilitating rapid nutrient delivery and waste removal, crucial for healing.
Tendons, ligaments, and cartilage have a significantly lower blood supply, making it difficult for the body to deliver the necessary resources for repair.
Cartilage is avascular (lacking blood vessels) and relies on diffusion for nutrient intake, making it very slow to heal.
Tendons and ligaments are composed of tightly packed collagen fibers, which are difficult to rebuild after an injury.
What is the difference between regular and irregular connective tissue?
Dense regular connective tissue has collagen fibers arranged in parallel, providing strong, unidirectional resistance, while dense irregular connective tissue has randomly arranged fibers, offering strength in multiple directions.
What is muscle tissue made of? what stimulation does it respond to?
Myocytes and myofibrils, Electrochemical
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal Muscle is under voluntary control by the somatic nervous system. Skeletal muscles are mostly connected to bone tissue via tendons. Their contraction produces movements of our limbs,
facial expression etc.
Cardiac Muscle
Cardiac Muscle is under involuntary control by the autonomic nervous system. Cardiac muscle is only found in the heart. Its contraction leads to blood being pumped around the body.
Smooth Muscle
Smooth Muscle is under involuntary control by the autonomic nervous system. Smooth muscle is found throughout the body, including the blood vessels, gastrointestinal system and the urinary system.
Features of a Skeletal
Appearance: Long, cylindrical, and unbranched.
Nuclei: Multinucleated (many nuclei per cell).
Striations: Striated (striped appearance).
Control: Voluntary (under conscious control).
Location: Attached to bones and tendons, responsible for movement.
Cardiac Muscle
Appearance: Branched and striated.
Nuclei: Typically a single nucleus per cell.
Striations: Striated (striped appearance).
Control: Involuntary (not under conscious control).
Location: Found only in the heart, responsible for pumping blood.
Special Features: Intercalated discs (specialized junctions that allow for rapid and coordinated electrical signals).
Smooth Muscle
Appearance: Spindle-shaped (tapered at both ends) and unbranched.
Nuclei: Typically a single nucleus per cell.
Striations: Non-striated (lacks stripes).
Control: Involuntary (not under conscious control).
Location: Found in the walls of hollow organs (e.g., stomach, intestines, blood vessels), responsible for involuntary movements like digestion and blood flow.
