Connective Tissue Flashcards
What major roles does connective tissue play in the body?
Bind different tissues, anchor organs and tissues in place, supports and protects and transports blood
List the characteristics of connective tissue
All connective tissue contains specialised cells
and an extracellular matrix
What is the extracellular matrix made up of?
Protein fibres
Ground substance
List the key cells found in connective tissue
- Fibroblasts
- Plasma cells
- Mast cells
- Adipose cells
- Leukocytes
List the extracellular fibres
- Collagen
- Elastic
- Reticular
Describe fibroblasts
Large mobile cells with many protrusions that secrete matrix fibres and ground substance components
Describe plasma cells
They develop from B lymphocytes produce and secrete antibodies
What is the function of mast cells?
They release histamine and promote inflammation
Describe adipose cells
They are found under skin and around organs and store lipids
Describe leukocytes
Immune cells with different functions will migrate to injuries and infection
Include Macrophages, Neutrophils & Eosinophils
Describe collagen fibres and where they are found
- Long, straight and very strong
- Found in bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments
What is the function of elastic fibres?
They return connective tissue to original shape and size after stretching
Describe reticular fibres and where they are found
- A thin, interwoven fibre network containing collagen
- Adds support and stability
What is the function of ground substance?
- Surrounds fibres and fills gaps between cells
- Supports cells and binds them together
- Lubricant and shock absorber
What are the two main categories of connective tissue?
- Proper connective tissue
- Specialised connective tissue
List the proper connective tissue
- Loose connective tissue
- Dense connective tissue
- Reticular tissue
- Adipose tissue
List the specialised connective tissue
- Bone
- Cartilage
- Blood
Loose connective tissue is also known as what?
Areolar tissue
Describe loose connective tissue
- Widely distributed around the body
- Composed primarily of ground substance plus all three protein fibres and fibroblasts
- Can also contain immune cells
List dense connective tissue
Includes tendons, most ligaments, fasciae of muscle, pericardium, periosteum, joint capsules, elastic tissue of lungs and arteries
What are the three types of dense connective tissue
- Dense irregular
- Dense regular collagenous
- Dense regular elastic
Describe dense irregular connective tissue
- Main component is collagen fibres
- Arranged along different planes to provide multidirectional resistance to tension
Describe dense regular
- Main component is collagen fibres
- Arranged in parallel bundles
that are very strong
