Histology of connective tissue Flashcards
what does all connective tissues originate from
embryonic mesenchyme
developing mainly from mesoderm
What does connective tissues provide
Support
Binds tissues together
Protects tissues and organs of the body
3 main components of connective tissues
Cells
Protein fibres
Amorphous ground substance
What makes up amorphous ground substance
Proteoglycans
Glycoaminoglycans
Glycoproteins
What do the fibers and ground substance make up
Extracellular matrix
Classifications of connective tissues
Dense
Loose
Specialised
Dense
Regular and irregular
Loose
Areolar
Adipose
Reticular
Specialised
Blood
Lymph
Bone
Cartilage
Functions of connective tissues
Provides substance and form to the body and organs
Defends against infections
Injury repair
Cushion between tissues and organs
Stores lipids
Medium for diffusion
Attaches muscle to bone and bone to bone
Support
Loose areolar tissue
Forms layer beneath epithelial lining of many organs
Fills spaces between givers of muscle and nerve to provide support
Highly cellular with random collagen arrangement (some elastic and reticular)
Most numerous cells are fibroblasts
Numerous cells in loose connective tissues
Fibroblasts
Dense connective tissue overview
More collagen fibers with little ground substance and fewer cells (mainly fibroblasts)
Greater resistance to stretching
Poorly vascularised
Dense regular connective tissues
Mainly type 1 collagen fibers oriented in parallel direction
In tendons and ligaments
Dense irregular connective tissues
Collagen fibers woven in multiple directions
Resist tensile forces
Found in dermis
Types of fibers
Collagen
Elastic
Reticular
Collagen fibers
Most type one collagen, most abundant protein in body
Provide tensile strength, resistance to stretching
Elastic fibers
Contain elastin and fibrillin
Provide elasticity
Can be stretched but return to original length
Reticular fibers
Contain type 3 collagen
Provides support
Network of thin fibers
Type 1
Fibrils aggregate into fibers and fiber bundles
Most widespread
Forms component of extra cellular matrix/interstitial collagen, tendons, ligaments, capsules of organs
Type 2,
Fibrils don’t form fibers
Present in hyaline and elastic cartilages
Type 3
Fibrils aggregate into fibers
Present surrounding smooth muscle cells and nerve fibers
Forms strong of lymphatic tissues and organs
Type 4
Chemically unique form of collagen
Doesn’t form fibrils
Major component of basal lamina
what is in the image
elastic fibers
contain protein elastin along with lesser amounts of proteins and glycoproteins
after being stretched or compressed will return to original shape
first is in mesentery, dermis and then wall of aorta