Connective tissues proper Flashcards
define connective tissue
tissue that connects, support, binds or separates other tissues or organs, typically having relatively few cells embedded in an amorphous matrix, often with collagen or other fibres
components of connective tissue
- cells mainly mature fibroblasts/fibrocytes, fixed adipocytes, reticular cells, melanocytes, mast cells, mesenchymal stem cells
- fibres collagens, elastin, reticular fibres
- ground substance proteoglycans, glucosaminoglycans
functions of connective tissue
- binding and supporting holding skin, gut, lungs, bones etc. together
- protection eg. bone protecting vital organs, fat as shock-absorber
- insulation eg. fat underlying skin
- storing reserve fuel and cells eg. bone marrow and fat tissue
- transporting substances within body eg. blood and interstitium
- separation of tissues eg. fascia and tendons/cartilage
what is the interstitium
space between tissues and organs of the body
types of connective tissue proper
loose connective tissue
- areolar
dense connective tissue
- regular
- irregular
structure of loose connective tissue (areolar)
contains multiple cell types
- fibroblasts, macrophages, white blood cells, mast cells, adipocytes
contains two main fibres
- collagenous
- elastic
gel-like ground substance
- proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid
functions of loose connective tissue (areolar tissue)
- holds vessels that supply fluids
- permits cell migration
- involved in inflammation pathways
- acts as packaging around organs
- generally hold everything in place
- cushions and stabilises organs
where is loose connective tissue found
- under epithelial cell layers
- around glands
- surrounds capillaries, nerves and sinusoids
- areas where bacteria/viruses that have breached the epithelial surface can be attacked and destroyed by the large number of immune cells present in the highly viscous loose connective tissue
histology of loose connective tissue
- adipocyte large white droplet
- mast cells large and darkly stained
- collagen fibres thick strands
- elastin fibres thin strands
function of fibroblasts
- synthesise and secrete the fibres lying within ground substance (extracellular matrix)
- important in wound healing process and responsible for formation of scar tissue
- myofibroblasts contain actin and myosin and responsible for wound contraction when tissue loss has occurred
function of macrophages
- derived from blood monocytes and move into loose connective tissue when there’s local inflammation
- phagocytic so degrade foreign organisms and cell debris
- professional antigen presenting cells
function of mast cells
- look like basophils
- contain abundant granules including histamine (inceases blood vessel wall permeability), heparin (anticoaguant), cytokines (attract eosinophils and neutrophils)
- found in areolar connective tissue near blood vessels
- absent from CNS to avoid damging effects of oedema
- become coated with IgE molecules that bind allergens causing contents of granules to be released from cell
what are unilocular adipocytes (white)
- single enormous lipid droplet with nucleus, cytoplasm and organelles squeezed to one side of cell
- function is padding and shock absorber, insulation and energy reserve
what are multilocular adipocytes (brown)
- multiple small lipid droplets with nucleus, cytoplasm and organelles squeezed to centre of cell
- very few in adults
- function is to provide insulation and energy reserves
- main method of generating heat in neonates through non-shivering thermogenesis
white VS brown adipose tissue
white
- single lipid droplet
- normal number of mitochondria
- single peripheral nucleus
- lipid breakdown slow in adults so heat generated by shivering reflex
white
- multiple lipid droplets
- increased number of mitochondria
- single central nucleus
- lipid breakdown accelerated in young children so oxidative phosphorylation uncoupled to generate heat
what are adipose cells generated from
- immature fibroblasts
- mesenchymal cells