Connective Tissue Flashcards
What are the three main classifications of CT?
CT proper-loose and dense
Specialised CT
Supporting CT
What are some examples of specialised CT?
Blood, lymph, nervous and haemopoietic
What are some examples of supporting CT?
Bone, cartilage and bone marrow
What are the functions of CT? (6)
- CONNECTS-tissues, organs, body
- TRANSPORT-nutrients and waste
- PROTECT-cushion between tissues and organs and insulates
- STORAGE (adipose tissue)
- DEFENCE-against infection
- WOUND HEALING-macrophages, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts
What three things do all CT have?
Specialised cells
Protein fibres
Ground substance
What is the matrix made up of?
Fibres and ground substance
What are the two types of cells in loose CT?
Fixed cells for general maintenance of tissue
Wandering cells for defending and repairing damaged tissue
Name 6 types of fixed cells in loose CT
Melanocytes Macrophages Mast cells Fibroblasts Mesenchymal cells Adipocytes
What are some examples of wandering cells in loose CT?
Leucocytes Plasma Monocytes Eosinophils Basophils
What are the three types of fibres in loose CT?
Reticular
Collagen
Elastic
What are the three types of loose CT?
Areolar
Adipose
Reticular
What type of collagen forms reticulin?
Type III
What is the difference between loose and dense CT?(3)
Dense CT has:
More fibres
Less ground substance
Fewer cells (mainly fibroblasts)
What are the three types of dense CT?
Dense regular
Dense irregular
Elastic
What is ground substance?
Viscous, clear substance with slippery feel that has high water content. Composed of proteoglycans
What is a proteoglycan?
Large macromolecule consisting of core protein to which glycosaminoglycans are covalently bonded
What are glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)?
Long-chained polysaccharides which attract water to form a hydrated gel that permits rapid diffusion but also resists compression.
What is an example of a GAG?
Hyaluronic acid
What is hyaluronic acid?
A type of GAG that is bound to proteoglycans by a link protein to form giant hydrophilic macromolecules. It is present in the ground substance of cartilage.
What is aponeurosis?
Flat sheet of regular CT with bundles of fibres in one layer, often arranged at 90 degrees to those in adjacent layers
What type of CT is the dermis?
Dense irregular CT
Where is loose CT located? (3)
Beneath epithelia to facilitate diffusion
Associated with epithelium of glands
Around small blood vessels
What do mast cells do?
Stimulate local inflammation by releasing histamine
What do fibroblasts do?
Produce extracellular fibres
Synthesise and secrete ground substance and fibres in ground substance
Wound healing
What are mesenchymal cells?
Stem cells responsible for tissue repair
Where can elastic fibres be found?
Dermis, artery walls and lungs
Where is areolar CT found?
Beneath epithelial layers
Where is adipose tissue found?
Beneath skin for insulation and protection
Where is reticular tissue found?
Around glands
Where can dense regular CT be found?
Tendons and ligaments
