Connective Tissues Flashcards
Matrix
area between cells
General Functions CT
holds and connects the body/systems together
Specific Functions CT
1) binds structures together
2) provides support and protection
3) provides a framework for other structures
4) fills spaces
5) produces blood cells
6) carries nutrients
7) protects against infection
8) helps repair tissue damage
Types of Fibers
1) collagenous
2) reticular
3) elastic
Collagenous fibers (description)
1) most common
2) long, unbranched, thick protein fibers (like rope)
Collagenous fibers (locations)
form ligaments (bone to bone) and tendons (bone to muscle)
Reticular fibers (description)
thin, branched fibers (woven into tough, flexible mesh)
Reticular fibers (functions)
1) can resist stretching/forces from many directions
2) reinforce cells and blood vessels
Collagenous fibers (functions)
flexible but incredibly strong (when pulled end to end)
Reticular fibers (locations)
structure of cells and blood vessels
Elastic fibers (description)
thin, branched, wavy fibers made of elastin protein
Elastic fibers (functions)
able to stretch and recoil
Types of Connective Tissues
1) Proper
2) Specialized
Areolar Proper CT (description)
1) many fibroblasts
2) fluid to gel-like matrix
3) collagenous and elastic fibers
4) contains blood vessels that provide nutrients for adjoining epithelial tissue (easier to heal)
Areolar Proper CT (functions)
1) binds skin to underlying structures
2) wraps organs
3) role in immune system
Areolar Proper CT (locations)
1) beneath epithelia
2) between muscles
Adipose Proper CT (description)
1) Nuclei are close to cell membrane (gives the appearance of lumen, identified by position of nuclei)
2) cells are called ADIPOCYTES
Adipose Proper CT (functions)
1) cushions
2) insulates
3) stores fat/energy
Adipose Proper CT (locations)
1) beneath skin
2) behind eyeballs
3) around organs
Reticular Proper CT (description)
1) contains many reticular fibers
2) uses darker maroon stain
3) has a appearance of dark spots and squiggly lines
Reticular Proper CT (functions)
supports walls of internal organs
Reticular Proper CT (locations)
found in…
1) spleen
2) liver
3) lymphatic organs
Dense Regular Proper CT (description)
1) tightly packed collagenous fibers and some elastic fibers
2) contains some fibroblasts
3) poor blood supply (picks up nutrients as it diffuses from surrounding tissues, slow to heal)
Dense Regular Proper CT (functions)
binds body parts together
Dense Regular Proper CT (locations)
makes up tendons and ligaments
Dense Irregular Proper CT (locations)
found in the dermis (deep layer of the skin)
Elastic Proper CT (description)
contains many elastic fibers and some collagenous fibers
Elastic Proper CT (functions)
allows stretch and recoil
Elastic Proper CT (locations)
found in organs that expand…
1) walls of large arteries
2) airways/lungs
3) heart
4) between some bones
Cartilage Specialized CT (description)
1) rigid matrix with poor blood supply (nutrients must diffuse through matrix, slow to heal)
2) live in lacunae
3) cells are called CHONDROCYTES
Types of Cartilage Specialized CT
1) hyaline
2) elastic
3) fibrocartilage
Hyaline Cartilage (description)
1) most common
2) looks like eyeballs or fried eggs
Hyaline Cartilage (functions)
1) reduces friction between bone ends
2) provides structure for nose and respiratory passages
3) embryonic skeleton “blueprint”
Hyaline Cartilage (locations)
1) between ends of bones
2) nose and respiratory passages
3) embryonic skeleton
Elastic Cartilage (description)
1) elastic fibers in matrix around lacunae (flexible structure)
2) ‘sketchy’ look due to elastic fibers
Elastic Cartilage (functions)
provides…
1) support
2) elasticity
Elastic Cartilage (locations)
1) auricle/pinna of ear
2) larynx (voice box)
Fibrocartilage (description)
very tough with bundles of collagenous fibers in matrix
Fibrocartilage (functions)
provides shock absorption
Fibrocartilage (locations)
found in…
1) knee and jaw joints
2) pelvic girdle
3) intervertebral discs
Osseous Specialized CT (description)
1) solid matrix of calcium and phosphorous
2) cells are called OSTEOCYTES
3) has appearance of tree rings
4) contains blood vessels (central and perforating canals)
Osseous Specialized CT (functions)
1) supports and protects organs
2) produces blood cells
3) provides attachment site for muscles
Osseous Specialized CT (locations)
found in bones/skeletal system
Lacunae
provides home for cells while keeping them alive and functional
Blood Specialized CT (description)
1) fluid matrix called plasma
2) contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Blood Specialized CT (functions)
1) transports nutrients/waste
2) defends against infection
3) involved in blood clotting
Blood Specialized CT (locations)
throughout body in blood vessels and in heart
