CONNECTIVE TISSUE Flashcards
what is connective tissue?
Deep tissues-never exposed to environment outside body
Most diverse tissue e.g. bone, blood, fat
what is the function of connective tissue?
Support & bind other tissues e.g. cartilage
what does connective tissue store?
Store nutritional substances e.g. fat
what does connective tissue produce?
Produce protective & regulatory substances (ECM)
where is the subserous fascia?
between serous membranes and deep fascia
areolar tissue
where is the deep fascia?
forms a strong, fibrous internal network
dense CT
where is deep fascia found?
bound to capsules, tendons, ligaments
where is superficial fascia?
between skin and underlying organs
areolar tissue and fat
what is superficial fascia also known as?
subcutaneous layer or hypodermic
where is connective tissue derived from?
derived from mesoderm
what are the characteristics of connective tissue?
vary in structure and function
highly vascularised and well nourished
sparsely cellular tissues
when is connective tissue used?
cell adhesion mechanism (ECM)
replication and repair
what are the 3 basic components of connective tissue?
specialised cells, protein fibres, ground substance
give examples of specialised cells
fibroblasts, osteocyte
give an example of protein fibres
collagen
what is ground substance?
Fills all spaces between cells & surrounds all CT fibres
accounts for most of volume of CT
what is the matrix (ECM)?
Fibres and ground substance
what are the 3 types of connective tissue?
CT proper, fluid CT, supporting CT
give examples of CT proper
loose and dense CT
give examples of fluid CT
blood and lymph
give examples of supporting CT
cartilage and bone
give examples of support cells
fibroblasts, chondrocytes, osteocytes, myofibroblasts, adipocytes
what are collagen fibres?
Long, straight, branched, strong, flexible
what are reticular fibres?
(network) thinner than collagen, forms branching interwoven framework
what are elastic fibres?
Branched, wavy, after stretching returns to normal
what are the classifications of CT?
embryonic, proper, cartilage, bone, vascular
what is embryonic CT?
Undifferentiated- mesenchyme
during development migrates & interacts with other tissues to form organs
which mesenchyme persists past embryonic period?
cells around BV – fibroblasts - repair
umbilical cord - mucus CT - turgid consistency
what cells are found in CT proper?
fibroblast – large spindle shaped cell
what is the function of CT proper?
Produce collagen, elastic & reticular fibres
how many types of CT proper are there?
Six basic types distinguished by loose flexible matrix, and type and arrangement of fibres
what is loose CT?
binding and packing – flexible - strength in all directions
give an example of where loose CT is found
Skin to underlying muscle
what does loose CT surround?
blood vessels/nerves
what is dense regular CT?
Densely packed collagen fibres parallel to direction of force
give examples of dense regular CT
tendons and ligaments
what is dense irregular CT?
densely packed collagen fibres - interwoven-strength in all directions
give examples of dense irregular CT
dermis of skin
submucosa of GI tract
what is elastic CT?
Elastic fibres (irregular arrangement & yellow) stretch 1.5 times and return
give examples of elastic CT?
walls of large arteries
portions of the larynx, trachea and bronchial tubes
what is reticular CT?
network reticular fibres woven - jellylike matrix
give examples of reticular CT
forms framework of organs such as liver and spleen
what is adipose CT?
cells store fat droplets – swell - food reserve, protects organs, insulator
give examples of adipose CT?
hypodermis of skin, surface of heart, breast, surrounds joints
what cell is found in cartilage?
chondrocyte
what is cartilage?
semisolid matrix with marked elastic properties
what is the function of cartilage?
supportive and protective CT frequently associated with bone
is cartilage vascularised or avascular?
Avascular - difficult to heal
how many types of cartilage are there?
3 types - based on type and amount of fibres embedded within matrix
what are the 3 types of cartilage?
hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage
where is hyaline cartilage?
between tips of ribs, bones of sternum, covering bone surfaces at synovial joints, supporting larynx, trachea and bronchi
what is the function of hyaline cartilage?
provide stiff but flexible support, reduces friction between bony surfaces
where is elastic cartilage found?
auricle of external ear, epiglottis, auditory canal, cuneiform cartilages of larynx
what is the function of elastic cartilage?
provides support but tolerates distortion without damage and return to original shape
where is fibrocartilage found?
pads within knee joints, between pubic bones of pelvis, intervertebral discs
what is the function of fibrocartilage?
resists to compression, prevents bone-to-bone contract, limits relative movement
what cells are found in bone?
osteoblast, osteoclast, osteocyte
what are the physical properties of bone?
rigid – hardness due to calcium phosphate
flexibility due to collagen fibres
what are the characteristics of bone?
Metabolically active
Rich vascular supply
how many types of bone are there?
2 types - compact/dense
spongy/cancellous
what is compact bone?
hard outer layer
what is spongy bone?
porous, vascular inner layer- provides space for marrow - blood cells
what cells are found in blood?
erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes (platelets)
what are the characteristics of blood?
Highly specialised – viscous
Liquid plasma matrix
