connective tissue

Question 1

what is the most abundant tissue in the body?

Answer 1

connective tissue

Question 2

give 6 examples of CT

Answer 2

bone - structural integrity
cartilage- protects joints & structural integrity
tendons & ligaments-muscle-bone, protect joints
adipose tissue-energy store
mesentery-intestine-abdomen
layers under skin & around organs

Question 3

what are the components of CT?

Answer 3

cells
ground substance*
fibres*
*ECM

Question 4

what is the ECM?

Answer 4

separates cells
provides structural and biochemical support for cells
composed of GS and fibres

Question 5

describe GS

Answer 5

biochemical support
clear, semi-solid gel
glycoproteins & complex carbs
-hyaluronic acid
-glucosamine
water-binding ability
tissue volume
supports intercellular exchange of substanes

Question 6

describe fibres

Answer 6

provide structural support and tensile strength
2 types:
collagen
-strongest & most abundant, tensile strength
elastin
-long, branched, provide stretch and recoil ability

Question 7

describe collagen

Answer 7

secreted into ECM by CT cells

28 types but most 1-3

Question 8

describe elastin

Answer 8

secreted into ECM by fibroblasts
confers elasticity to tissues
found largely in:
skin
lungs
bv
bladder

Question 9

what are the 3 cell types of CT?

Answer 9

xblasts- synthesise ECM
xcytes- maintain ECM
xclasts- breakdown ECM

Question 10

what are fibroblasts?

Answer 10

most common CT cell type

secrete fibres & components of GS

Question 11

what are chondrocytes?

Answer 11

secrete and maintain ECM in cartilage

Question 12

what are osteoblasts and osteocytes?

Answer 12

secrete and maintain mineralised ECM in bone

Question 13

how are CT highly vascularised?

Answer 13

contain bv and lymphatics
contain immune cells
-survey tissues for invading pathogens/cell damage
exception=cartilage

Question 14

what are the 2 categories of CT proper?

Answer 14

loose-mostly GS
-areolar
-adipose
-reticular
dense-mostly fibres
-regular
-irregular
-elastic

Question 15

describe areolar tissue

Answer 15

universal packing material
-supports & binds tissues
found beneath skin, submucosa, surrounding capillaries

Question 16

describe adipose tissue

Answer 16

functions:energy storage
shock absorption
insulation
found:
deep beneath skin
breasts
abdomen
finger & foot pads

Question 17

describe reticular tissue

Answer 17

delicate, branches network providing internal structure to highly cellular organs

Question 18

describe dense regular tissue

Answer 18

closely packed collagen fibres running in same direction
provides tensile strength
-in tendons & ligaments

Question 19

describe dense irregular tissue

Answer 19

closely packed, interwoven fibres running in dif directions

found in dermis of skin, forms protective capsule around organs

Question 20

describe elastic tissue

Answer 20

allows tissues to recoil after stretching

found in arteries, skin, lungs and underlying transitional epithelium

Question 21

what is scurvy

Answer 21

lack of vit C
leading to defective collagen formation
loose teeth, skin haemorrhages

Question 22

what is systemic lupus erythematosis?

Answer 22

autoimmune disease
targets tissues including skin, bones, tendons, kidneys
oral- dry & sore
buccal & palatal lesions

Question 23

what is sjogrens?

Answer 23

autoimmune disease
affects glands that produce tears and saliva
symptoms include dry eyes and mouth
can accompany SLE 
increased caries and candidiasis