KEEPING THE BODY TOGETHER
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
FUNCTIONS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE:
Interconnection of tissues
 Support and motion
 Storage
 Cushioning and insulation
 Enclosing and separating
 Transport
 protection

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Cells produce and maintain a matrix
 The cells are not usually touching – they sit
within the matrix they produce
 The matrix allows connective tissue to perform
its job

WHAT IS A MATRIX?
The acellular substance of a tissue
 The matrix is made by the cells of that tissue
 The matrix gives the tissue its qualities

This is the cell
LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Large spaces between fibers filled with fluid or
cells
 Examples: Areolar, adipose, and reticular

ADIPOSE TISSUE (FAT)
Little extracellular matrix
 Adipocytes filled with lipids
 Function: storage, thermal insulation,
cushioning
 Found: below skin, yellow bone marrow, in
spaces and crevices

AREOLAR TISSUE:
Has a fine network of fibers
 Contains fibroblasts, macrophages, and
lymphocytes
 Function: support and nourishment
 Found: Around and between muscles, vessels,
nerves, and organs

RETICULAR TISSUE
Fine network of reticular fibers irregularly
arranged
 Spaces contain macrophages and blood cells
 Function: provides structure for lymphatic
tissue and red bone marrow

DENSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE - REGULAR
Densely packed fibers with little space in
between
 Fibers are mostly collagen
 Fibers run in one direction

CONTINUED…
Functions: withstand tremendous pulling forces
in the direction of the fibers, stretch resistance
 Found: in tendons and ligaments

DENSE IRREGULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Fibers run in several directions
 Function: provide strength in many directions,
but not as strong in a single direction as DRCT
 Found: organ capsules, the dermis of the skin

ELASTIC CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Matrix made of elastic and collagen fibers
 Function: able to stretch and recoil
 Found in: walls of arteries, elastic ligaments in
the spine

HYALINE CARTILAGE
Collagen fibers in a firm, flexible matrix
 Chondrocytes (the cartilage cells) sit in lacunae
 Function: growth of long bones, support and
flexibility in trachea, bronchi, ribs, and nose
 Makes up the embryonic skeleton
 Covers articulating surfaces

CONTINUED. . . .

Found: ends of long bones, articular surfaces,
ribs, nose, respiratory system, and the
embryonic skeleton
FIBROCARTILAGE
Numerous collagen fibers in thick bundles
 Function: withstand pressure, connects
structures subjected to great pressure
 Found: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis,
knee, temporomandibular joint

ELASTIC CARTILAGE
Similar to hyaline cartilage but matrix also has
elastic fibers
 Function: rigidity with flexibility, can stretch and
return to original shape
 Found: external ear structure, epiglottis,
auditory tubes

BONE
Hard connective tissue made by
cells(osteocytes) that sit in a mineralized matrix
 Function: provide great strength and support,
protection, movement
 Found: the skeleton

BLOOD
Liquid connective tissue
 Blood cells are in a fluid matrix called plasma.
 Function: transport, protection, temperature
regulation
