Histology - Connective Tissue Flashcards
Connective Tissue
Binds, supports, and protects body parts
Found throughout body (most abundant tissue by weight)
Deeper tissue, further from lumen
Separated from epithelium by basement membrane
Ranges in vascularity
Can be semisolid to solid
Functions
Binding and supporting
Protection
Insulation
Components
Cells
Fibers
Ground Substance / Matrix
Types of Connective Tissue
Fibrous Connective Tissue Cells
Fibroblasts
Macrophages
Fibroblasts
Small and numerous
Synthesizes extracellular matrix and collagen fibers
Young mitotic cell
Macrophages
Larger Cells
Phagocytic
Scavengers
Fibrous Connective Tissue Fibers
Collagen
Elastin
Collagen
Thick threadlike
Grouped in parallel bundles
High tensile strength
Elastin
Protein
Highly branched
Stretch and recoil ability
Loose Fibrous CT
Fills in spaces of body just below the skin
Surrounds and protects organs
Forms supportive layer for mucous membranes
Loose areolar
Adipose
More matrix, less fiber
More vascularity
Dense Fibrous CT
More fiber, less matrix
Orientation and arrangement fo fibers make it resistant to stress and stretching
Dense Irregular
Dense Regular
More avascular
Loose - Areolar CT
Widely abundant
Function: packing tissue
Location: fills gaps between internal organs
Loose - Adipose CT
- *Description:** adipocytes // cell can enlarge and crowd out other cells
- *Function:** heat conservation, shock absorption, E source
- *Location:** subcutaneous fat
Dense Regular CT
Description:
Fibers = parallel (closely packed collagenous fibers, fine network of elastin, cells = fibroblasts squished in between fibers
Function: bind body parts together, can w/stand extreme pulling
Location: ligaments and tendons
Dense Irregular CT
Description: cells = scattered fibroblasts
Function: can w/stand stretching/forces in a verity fo different difrections
Location: mainly in dermis layer of skin *below squamous)
