Connective Tissuie Review
Name/Type
Areolar
Adipose
Reticular
Description
Description: Gel-like matrix
with all three fiber types;
cells: fibroblasts,
macrophages, mast cells, and
some white blood cells
Matrix as in areolar, but very
sparse; closely packed
adipocytes, or fat cells, have
nucleus pushed to the side by
large fat droplet.
Network of reticular fibers in
a typical loose ground
substance; reticular cells lie
on the network.
Reticular cells are fibroblasts
that make, you guessed it,
reticular fibers.
Picture
Function/Location
Location: Widely distributed
under epithelia of body, e.g.,
forms lamina propria of
mucous membranes
(basement membrane);
packages organs; surrounds
capillaries.
Binds, connects, and provides
support for tissues and
organs throughout the body.
Packing Peanuts of the body!
Provides reserve food fuel;
insulates against heat loss;
supports and protects organs
White Fat more common in
adults.
Brown Fat in babies to
provide warmth, cannot
shiver to generate heat.
Under skin, around heart,
kidneys, in abdomen.
Fibers form a soft internal
skeleton (stroma) that
supports other cell types
including white blood cells,
mast cells, and macrophages.
Lymphoid organs (lymph
nodes, bone marrow, and
spleen).
Name/Type
Description
Picture
Function/Locations
Primarily parallel
collagen fibers; a few elastic
fibers;
major cell type is the
fibroblast. Mostly cells,
poorly vascularized.
Great Tensile strength, when
pulling force is applied in one
direction.
Paper Towel Fiber Demo
Attaches muscles to
bones or to muscles; attaches
bones to bones;
Tendons
Most Ligaments
Aponeuroses
.
Dense Irregular
Primarily irregularly
arranged collagen fibers;
some
elastic fibers; fibroblast is the
major cell type.
Withstands tension
exerted in many directions;
provides structural strength.
Fibrous capsules of
organs and of joints; dermis
of the skin; submucosa of
digestive tract
Elastic CT
Dense regular
connective tissue containing a
high proportion of elastic
fiber
Elastic Rubber Band demo
Walls of large arteries;
within certain ligaments
associated with the vertebral
column; within the walls of
the bronchial tubes Allows
tissue to recoik; blood flow
through arteries; aids in
recoil of bronchial tubes
Dense Regular
Supports and reinforces;
serves as resilient cushion;
resists compressive stress.
Forms embryonic skeleton
Nose Trachea Costal
Cartilage of ribs
Hyaline Cartilage
Elastic Cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Amorphous but firm
matrix; collagen fibers form
an imperceptible network;
chondroblasts produce the
matrix and when mature
(chondrocytes) lie in lacunae
maintain the matrix.
Avascular Lack nerves
Tough yet flexible
End of long bones at joints,
most common type of
cartilage.
Similar to hyaline
cartilage, but more elastic
fibers in matrix.
In general more chondrocytes
than hyaline.
Maintains the shape of
a structure while allowing
great
flexibility.
Ear Epiglottis
Matrix similar to but
less firm than that in hyaline
cartilage; thick collagen
fibers predominate.
Sort of a cross between dense
regular and hyaline cartilage.
Find something on the internet.
Google it.
Check the website later.
Bring in a picture for a bonus point.
Tensile strength allows
it to absorb compressive
shock. The shock absorbers
of the body and thus found in
the intervertebral discs
(between the backbones) in
the knee joint, and the pubic
symphysis joining the hip
bones.
Connective Tissuie Review
Name/Type
Bone
Blood
Description
Picture
Function/Locations
Hard, calcified
matrix containing many
collagen
fibers; osteocytes lie in
lacunae.
Very well vascularized.
Support, protect, and work
with muscles for movement.
Produce red blood cells to in
its marrow!
Well, bones! Throughout the
skeletal system.
Red and white blood
cells in a fluid matrix
(plasma).
Lacks fibers.
WBC’s (purple/blue cells)
RBC’s (well, red more
numerous)
Transport respiratory
gases, nutrients, wastes, and
other substances.
Special Type of CT
Fluid Group
Found within blood vessels
throughout the body.