L10) Connective tissue (proper) ✔ Flashcards
Define connective tissue
A tissue that connects, supports, binds, or separates
other tissues or organs, typically having relatively few cells embedded in an amorphous matrix, often with collagen or other fibres.
What 3 components of connective tissue ?
Cells – mainly mature fibroblasts/fibrocytes, fixed adipocytes, reticular cells (found in all lymphatic tissues)
Fibres – collagens, elastin, reticular fibres
Ground substance – proteoglycans, (glucosaminoglycans, e.g. hyaluronic acid)
What makes up extracellular matrix ?
Ground substance + fibres
Define interstitium
Space between tissues and organs of the body
What are the 2 types of proper connective tissue ?
Loose (areolar tissue and adipose tissue)
Dense (fibrous & collagenous tissue)
Where is loose connective tissue found ?
- In the lamina propria beneath mucosal membranes
- Abounds the basal lamina
- Least specialised connective tissue in the adult
- Widely distributed: under epithelial cell layers (e.g. lamina propria) & around glands, surrounds capillaries, nerves and sinusoids
What are the 2 types of dense connective tissue ?
Irregular - Fibres running in different directions
Regular - Fibres running in parallel to each
other
What is the structure of loose connective tissue ( areolar tissue )?
Contains multiple cell types - Fibroblast, macrophages, other white blood cells & mast cells adipocytes
Contains two main fibres - Collagenous & elastic
Gel-like ground substance - Proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, etc.
What are the 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
What is the function of Fibroblasts ?
Synthesise and secrete the fibres that lie within the ground substance(extracellular matrix).
Very important in the wound healing process & are the cells primarily responsible for the formation of scar
tissue.
What are myofibroblasts ?
Modified fibroblasts that contain actin & myosin.
They are responsible for wound contraction when
tissue loss has occurred.
Where are macrophages derived from ?
From blood monocytes - move into loose connective tissue, especially when there is local inflammation
What is the functions of macrophage ?
Phagocytic - can degrade foreign organisms and cell debris.
Are ‘professional antigen presenting cells’ (i.e. they can present foreign material to the T lymphocytes of the immune system)
What are the abundant granules in the mast cells cytoplasm ?
Histamine (increases blood vessel wall permeability)
Heparin (an anticoagulant)
Cytokines that attract eosinophils and neutrophils
Where are mast cells found ?
Found in areolar connective tissue near blood vessels
Absent from CNS - avoid damaging effects of oedema
What are mast cells coated with ?
IgE ( immunoglobulin) - molecules which specifically bind allergens - when an allergen cross-links these surface-bound IgE molecules, the contents of the granules are all rapidly released from the cell
What is the structure of adipocytes (unilocular) ?
A single enormous lipid droplet, with the nucleus, cytoplasm & organelles all squeezed to one side of the cell
What type of adipocytes (unilocular) are present in loose connective tissue ?
Mostly white to yellow = white adipocytes
What is the function of adipocytes ( unilocular ) ?
Padding and shock absorber, insulation and energy reserve.
What is the structure of adipocytes (multilocular) ?
Brown adipocytes
Very few of these in the adult
Multiple small lipid droplets, with the nucleus, cytoplasm & organelles all squeezed to the centre of the cell
What is the function of adipocytes (multilocular) ?
Provides insulation and energy reserve
In neonates: main method of generating heat (non-shivering thermogenesis)
What are fat tissues mainly made of ?
white adipose cells trapped in a fine mesh of reticulin fibres
What are the 2 types of fat tissue ?
White adipose tissue - single lipid droplet
Brown adipose tissue - many lipid droplet
What are the differences in fat tissue structures ?
White adipose tissue :
Normal number of mitochondria
Single peripheral nucleus
Brown adipose tissue :
Increased number of mitochondria
Single central nucleus
How is heat generated in the fat tissues ?
White adipose tissue - In adults, lipid breakdown is
slow and heat only generated after shivering reflex.
Brown adipose tissue - In neonates and young children,
lipid breakdown is accelerated, oxidative phosphorylation is uncoupled to generate heat - Calories generated can double
What are adipose cells generated from ?
Immature fibroblasts or mesenchymal stem cells
Define collagen
The commonest protein in our body and may constitute between ¼ & ⅓ of our whole-body protein content; with the ground substance it constitutes the extracellular matrix
What are the 4 types of collagen ?
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Describe Type I collagen
The most widely distributed type (90% of all collagen).
Fibrils aggregate into fibres and fibre bundles (e.g. in tendons, capsules of organs and skin dermis)