Week 3 Flashcards
Name the 3 special characteristics of connective tissue
Common embryological origin (mesenchyme)
Abundant intercellular matrix with few cells
Wide range of vascularity
Components of connective tissu
Cells
Ground Substance
Fibers
Describe “blast” cells
immature, actively mitotic, and secrete matrix
Describe “cyte” cells
mature, completely surrounded by matrix and maintain health of matrix
What makes up the matrix?
Matrix = Ground substance + fibers
What are the 3 types of fibers found in connective tissue and what do they look like?
Collagen - white, thick, tough, strong; have high tensile strength (stain pink)
Elastic - yellow, thin, elastic; can stretch and recoil (stain dark, looks like dark hair or cracks)
Reticular – appear branched and jagged; supportive network for other cells (stain very dark, looks like tree branches)
What are the four subtypes of connective tissue
Connective Tissue Proper
Cartilage
Osseous connective tissue (bone)
Vascular connective tissue (blood)
What specific kinds of tissue are considered to be connective tissue proper?
Areolar Connective Tissue Adipose Connective Tissue Reticular Connective Tissue Dense Regular Connective Tissue Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
What are Mesenchymal cells?
embryonic connective tissue cells, undifferentiated, can specialize to become other CT cell types
What cells are found in connective tissue proper and their roles
Fibroblasts – secrete matrix (fibers + ground substance) to make CT Proper
Mast cells – produce histamine and heparin
Mesenchymal cells – undifferentiated, can specialize to become other CT cell types
Macrophages – phagocytic
Areolar Connective Tissue
Cells: fibroblasts; macrophages, mast cells, some white blood cells
Fibers: loose fiber arrangement; all three fiber types with collagen and elastic prominent
Locations: between and within organ and gland walls, around vessels, deep to epithelium
Functions: wraps and cushions organs, holds and conveys tissue fluid, role in inflammation
Adipose Connective Tissue
Cells: adipocytes contain a fat storage vacuole filled with triglycerides
Fibers: loose fiber arrangement; sparse matrix with little to no visible fibers
Locations: under skin (hypodermis); around eyeball, kidneys, and heart; within abdomen and breasts
Functions: energy storage, cushion, thermal insulation
Reticular Connective Tissue
Cells: reticular cells (special fibroblasts)
Fibers: loose fiber arrangement; contains reticular fibers
Locations: internal framework of lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow
Function: provides soft internal skeleton supporting other cell types
Dense Regular Connective Tissue
Cells: fibroblasts
Fibers: dense fiber arrangement; collagen fibers running parallel to each other
Locations: tendons (connect muscle to bones), ligament (connect bones to bones), aponeuroses (sheet-like tendons)
Function: withstand tension in a single plane/direction
Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
Cells: fibroblasts
Fibers: dense fiber arrangement; collagen fibers are irregularly arranged
Locations: dermis, joint capsules, organ capsules, perichondrium, periosteum
Function: withstand tension in several planes/directions
What cells are found in Cartilage connective tissue?
Chondroblasts
Chondrocytes
What are the characteristics of cartilage connective tissue
Matrix is semisolid
Possesses lacunae, which are small chambers where chondrocytes are housed
Boundary is called the perichondrium
Avascular, so slow to heal
Hyaline Cartilage
Contains collagenous fibers in the amorphous matrix
Lacunae tend to appear as singles, doubles, or triples
Locations: trachea, bronchi, larynx, attaches to the ends of ribs, tip of nose, articulating surfaces of bones, precursor to bone
Functions: support and reinforcement, resilience and cushioning, resistance of compressive stress
Elastic Cartilage
Elastic fibers visible
Narrow band of tissue with numerous evenly distributed lacunae; very little matrix
Locations: external ear, epiglottis, pharyngotympanic tube
Function: flexible maintenance of shape
Fibrocartilage
No perichondrium
Contains a lot of collagenous fibers in the matrix
Locations: pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs, menisci of knee
Function: possesses high tensile strength with the ability to absorb compressive shock
What are the cells found in Osseous Tissue?
Osteoblasts
Osteocytes
Compact bone
Contains collagenous fibers in solid mineralized matrix
Lamellae
concentric rings of matrix
Lacunae
(little chambers) houses osteocytes
