Connective Tissue Flashcards
Characteristics of collagen fibers:
Primarily of protein collagen
Thick
Extremely tough
Provide tough tensile strength
What is ground substance ?
Unstructured, extracellular material between cells and contains fibers
It’s consistency varies from liquid to solid among the different kinds of CT
Characteristics of elastic fibers:
Long, thin fibers
Branching networks in extra cellular matrix
Rubber like protein (elastin) allows for stretching and recoiling
Characteristics of reticular fibers:
Short, fine, collagenous fibers
Continuous with collagen fibers
Delicate
Where is hyaline cartilage located?
Forms most of the embryonic skeleton
Covers ends of long bones in joint cavities
Forms costal cartilages of ribs, nose, trachea, larynx
Where is elastic cartilage located?
External ear and epiglottis
Where is fibrocartilage located?
Intervertebral discs
Pubic symphysis
Discs of the knee joint
What is an osteocyte?
Mature bone cell which reside in lacunae within the matrix
Characteristics of bone connective tissue:
Rocklike, hard, calcified
Ability to support and protect body structures
Abundant in collagen fibers
Define blood:
Fluid within blood vessels.
Does not connect things or give mechanical support
Classified as connective tissue because it derives from mesenchyme
Surrounded by a non living fluid matrix called blood plasma
Where in the body can you find elastic, dense connective tissue?
Walls of large arteries
Certain ligaments associated with vertebral column
Within walls of bronchial tubes
Characteristics of fibrocartilage :
Rows of chondrocytes, alternated with rows of thick collagen fibers
Compressive and resists tension well
What is the function of bone (osseous) tissue?
Supports and protects by enclosing
Provides levers for muscles to act on
Stores calcium, fat & other minerals
Marrow is site of blood cell formation (“hematopoiesis”)
What is the function of blood, connective tissue?
Transport respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and other substances
Where is blood, connective tissue located?
Contained within the blood vessels
What are the two classifications of connective tissue?
- ) connective tissue proper
2. ) supporting connective tissues
What is the general function of connective tissue?
Binds structures together
Fills in gaps
Serves as framework
Provides support and protection
What is connective tissue proper composed of?
Cells
protein fibers
ground substance (which forms a gel around cells and fibers)
What is supporting connective tissue composed of?
Bone and cartilage
Strong matrix
Cells are found in lacunae
What are the 3 types of fiber?
Collagenous
Elastic (yellow)
Reticular
What does “-blast” mean?
Undifferentiated, immature cell
What does “-cyte” mean?
Mature cells
What is the function of fibroblasts?
They produce fibers of various types
What are chondrocytes?
Mature cartilage cells
What are the characteristics of elastic fibers?
Sometimes called yellow fibers
Branched, elastic protein
Allows for stretching and recoiling
What are the characteristics of collagenous fibers?
Sometimes called white fibers
Made of collagen
Thick, non-branched
Strong, non-elastic
What are characteristics of reticular fibers?
Thin, delicate, Branched collagen
Forms networks
What are mast cells?
Produce histamine
Associated with immune system
What are hemocytoblasts?
Blood cells
What is a chondroblast?
Immature, active cartilage-forming cell
What is an osteoblast?
Immature, active bone-forming cell
What is an osteocyte?
Mature bone cell
What are the 3 types of cartilage?
Hyaline cartilage
Elastic cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Define hyaline cartilage:
Glassy smooth appearance
Cells appear in ‘nests’ of lacunae
Serves as precursor to bone
Where is hyaline cartilage found in body?
Costal cartilage on lower ribs
Covers ends of long bones
Forms cartilaginous rings of trachea
Define elastic cartilage:
Consists of network of elastic fibers
Provides flexible shape to structures like epiglottis and earlobes
Define fibrocartilage:
Consists of large collagen fibers
Lacunae are generally found between fibers
Forms intervertebral discs of vertebral column
Characteristics of bone:
Consists of hard matrix of collagen fibers and calcium salts arranged in rings called lamella
Cells in lacunae
Lamellae around central canal (Haversian canal)
What does blood consist of?
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Plasma (matrix)
Where are dense regular CT found?
Forms tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses
What is the function of dense regular CT?
Connect muscle to bone
Connect bone to bone
What is the function of dense irregular CT?
Protective functions
Where can dense irregular CT be found in body?
Form organ capsules
Dermis of skin
What are adipocytes?
Fat cells
What are the functions of adipose?
Source of stored energy
Protection (padding)
Insulation
What are the 3 types of loose connective tissue?
Areolar
Adipose
Reticular
What are the two types of supporting connective tissue?
Cartilage (hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage )
Bone
What type of connective tissue is the most atypical CT?
Blood
What does all connective tissue derive from?
Mesenchyme
Describe reticular loose connective tissue:
Network of reticular fibers
Forms the framework for certain organs which have fluids flowing through them (bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen)
Where can adipose loose connective tissue be found?
Padding around organs and bones
Lower layers of skin
