Connective tissue
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Most abundant tissue by weight
Cells are farther apart than in epithelium
Predominant cells are fibroblasts
Much intercellular material (matrix)
Functions in binding structures together,
filling spaces, providing support, protection,
and production of blood cells
•Loose connective Tissue
(Areolar)
• Binds skin to underlying organs
• Fills spaces between muscles
• Lies beneath epithelium to nourish those
cells
•Adipose tissue (Fat)
• Specialized loose connective tissue
• Found beneath skin, between muscles,
around organs, around joints
• Acts as a protective cushion, insulator and
storer of fat molecules
•Fibrous (Dense) Connective
Tissue
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Dense, closely packed collagen and elastic fibers
Fewer cells
Strong
Poor blood supply
Slow to repair
Forms tendons & ligaments
Also found in the white of the eye & deeper
dermis of the skin
•Cartilage
• Matrix of collagen fibers
• Cartilage cells (chondrocytes) found in
chambers (lacunae)
• Enclosed in a fibrous connective tissue
covering (perichondrium)
• Only blood supply is in the perichondrium
•3 types
•A. Hyaline cartilage
• Most common
• Found on ends of bones in joints, nose,
rings of the trachea & bronchi
•B. Elastic cartilage
• More flexible
• Found in the external part of the ear & part
of the larynx
•C. Fibrocartilage
• Tough
• Shock absorber
• Found between vertebral disks, between
bones in knee & pelvic bones
•Bone
• Most rigid tissue due to collagen fibers and
mineral salts in the matrix
• Bone cells (osteocytes) found in chambers
(lacunae)
• Blood vessels found in canals throughout
• Protects, supports, serves as an attachment
for muscles, forms blood cells
Blood
• Matrix is plasma
• Red blood cells, white blood cells, &
platelets
• Transports nutrients, gases, wastes