Tissues: Connective Flashcards
Connective tissue types and function
connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, blood
function: form basis of skeleton, store and carry nutrients, surround blood vessels and nerves, lead fight against infection
characteristics of connective tissue
vascular and innervated
few cells, abundant extracellular matrix (ground substance and fibers)
extracellular matrix is produced by connective tissue cells
Connective tissue cells
Fibroblasts - in connective tissue proper, make protein subunits
Chondroblasts - secrete matrix in cartilage
chondrocyte - mature cartilage cell
Osteoblasts - secrete matrix in bone
osteocyte - mature bone cells in lacunae
Immune system:
Macrophages - large cells capable of moving about and ingesting foreign substances
Mast Cells - nonmotile cells that release chemicals, such as histamine, to promote inflammation
Extracellular matrix of connective tissue
Fibers: collagen, reticular, elastic
Ground substance: produced by primary cell type, gel like substance, cushions and protects
Proteoglycans: trap water between polysaccharides which allows them to return to their original shape when compressed or deformed
Loose Connective tissue proper: areolar
gel like matrix with collagen, elastic, reticular fibers ; fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, white blood cells
functions: wrap and cushion organs, holds and conveys interstitial fluid
location: widely distributed, packages organs, surrounds capillaries
Loose connective tissue proper: adipose
closely packed adipocytes (fat cells), nucleus pushed to one side
function: provides reserve fuel, insulation, supports and protects organs
location: under skin, around kidneys, behind eyes, in breasts, bottoms of feet
Loose connective tissue proper: reticular
network of reticular fibers in loose ground substance
function: supports other cell types in a scaffolding
location: lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen
Dense irregular connective tissue proper
collagen fibers are thick and irregular, some elastic fibers and fibroblasts
Function: withstand tension, provide structural strength
Location: dermis of skin, capsules of joints, capsules surrounding organs
Dense regular collagenous connective tissue proper
function: attaches to muscle and bone (tendon), attaches bone to bone (ligament), withstand stress in one direction
location: tendons, ligaments, fascia around muscles
dense regular elastic connective tissue proper
predominately elastic fibers
function: allows for recoil after stretching
location: walls of arteries, some ligaments, vocal chords
hyaline cartilage
collagen fibers, imperceptible (hyaline=glassy), chondrocytes
function: protection (cushion, resists repetitive stress)
location: fetal skeletons, ends of long bones, costal cartilage in ribs, cartilage of nose, trachea, larynx
elastic cartilage
similar to hyaline, more elastic fibers, chondrocytes
function: maintains shape of structure, allows great flexibility
location: external ear, epiglottis
fibrocartilage
matrix similar but less firm than hyaline cartilage, predominate collagen fibers
function: tensile strength and ability to absorb compressive shock
location: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, discs of knee
Compact and Spongy Bone
bone matrix - inorganic calcium salts, collagen fibers
osteoblasts and osteocytes
vell vascularized
function: support and protect organs, levers of attachment for muscles, store calcium and minerals, store fat
bone marrow is site of blood cell formation
spongy - trabeculae (plates) of bone with lots of spaces between
compact - solid with almost no space between thin laters of mineralized matrix
Blood tissue
red and white blood cells in a fluid matrix (plasma), liquid connective
function - transport of respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes
location - within blood vessels
