Tissues: Connective Tissue Flashcards
What makes connective tissue different from epithelial tissue?
- found in every organ
- very few cells separated by lots of extracellular matrix
- most are vascular (except tendons and cartilage)
- many diverse types
what differentiates different types of connective tissues?
type of extracellular matrix
- how many/types of fibres
- how much/types ground substance
functions of connective tissue
- encloses organs as a capsule (separates and protects)
- connects tissues to one another (ligaments, tendons)
- support and movement (bones)
- storage (fat, bones)
- cushion and insulate (fat)
- transport (blood)
- protects (cells of immune system)
word stems for connective tissues + unique cell types
BLAST: create the matrix
- once tissue built they turn into cyte cells
CYTE: maintain the matrix
CLAST: break down matrix for remodelling
MACROPHAGES: engulf and digest any debris that shouldn’t be in the tissue
ADIPOSE CELLS: also a type of tissue
white and red blood cells
MAST CELLS: secrete histamine for inflammatory response
Components of extracellular matrix
- PROTEIN FIBRES (structure)
- COLLAGEN: most common pr in body; strong, flexible inelastic
- RETICULAR: fill spaces between tissues and organs; form branching network
- ELASTIC: returns to original shape. molecules of pr elastin that resemble coiled springs; molecules cross-linked - GROUND SUBSTANCE (filler)
- hyaluronic acid (lubricant), proteoglycan (retain water), glycosaminogycans (GAGs), adhesion proteins
- may be FLUID, SEMIFLUID, GELATINOUS or CALCIFIED
difference between collagen and reticular protein fibres
- reticular fibres are collagen fibres lined with a glycoprotein, branch out in networks
- collagen fibres have no coating, have multiple fibres bundled together
properties of proteoglycans, examples of use
hold water
more in cartilage to allows movement
less in bone to allow rigidity
3 types of mature connective tissue and their subtypes
- CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER
LOOSE CT: few fibres, more ground substance
- AREOLAR: primarily collagen, fills in spaces
- ADIPOSE: adipose cells, storage
- RETICULAR: primarily reticular fibres, lymphatic system
DENSE CT: more fibres, less ground substance
- REGULAR/IRREGULAR COLLAGENOUS: primarily collagen, same or different directions
- REGULAR/IRREGULAR ELASTIC: primarily elastic fibres with some collagen
- SUPPORTING CONNECTIVE TISSUE
- cartilage and bone - FLUID CONNECTIVE TISSUE
- blood
characteristics of loose adipose CT
- densly packed cells (not like most other CT)
- cells called ADIPOSITES
- specialized storage for triglycerides
- often found where areolar CT is
- job: store energy, insulate, support and protect organs
characteristics of loose areolar CT
- fills in spaces between most organs and tissues
- attaches skin to underlying tissues
- primarily collagen, but also contains reticular and elastic fibres
- contains FIBROBLASTS (builds tissue)
characteristics of loose reticular CT
- provides framework for lymphatic organs
- primarily reticular fibres
difference between loose and dense connective tissue proper
loose: less fibres, more ground substance; contains all fibre types
dense: more fibres, less ground substance
characteristics of dense regular collagenous CT + examples
- abundant densely packed collagen fibres
- fibres running in same direction
- strong along length, not width)
EXAMPLES
- tendons: muscle to bone
- ligaments: bone to bone
characteristics of dense irregular collagenous CT + examples
- abundant densely packed collagen fibres
- fibres running multiple directions
- not as strong, but allows for strength in many directions
EXAMPLES
- dermis (second layer) of skin
- scars
characteristics of dense regular elastic CT + examples
- primarily elastic fibres with some collagen (to provide strength)
- fibres running in same direction
EXAMPLE
-ligaments in vocal folds
