 Name 2 types of epithelial tissue
and their function.
Connective Tissue
 Found everywhere in the body
 Includes the most abundant and widely
distributed tissues
 Functions
 Binds body tissues together
 Supports the body
 Provides protection
 Insulates to maintain body temperature
 Transportation of other molecules
 1. common origin- all arise from embryonic tissue
(mesenchyme)
 2. Degrees of vascularity- cartilage is avascular while
other types have rich blood supply
 3. Extracellular matrix- connective tissue more able to
bear weight, withstand tension, and endure abuses
because unlike other tissues it is not made up mostly
of cells.
 Most abundant tissue in body
 3 Main Elements
Ground Substance: unstructured material that
fills the space between the cells and contains the
fibers. This is consists mostly of fluid and
proteins.
Fibers: provide support.
•
3 types: collagen, elastic and reticular fibers.
•
•
•
Collagen fibers: protein. Extremely tough and
provide high tensile strength. (white)
Elastic fibers: long and thin that form branches.
Elastin protein. Moves like a rubber band. (yellow)
Found in skin, lungs, blood vessels.
Reticular Fibers: very fine fibers that branch
extensively. Surround small blood vessels and
support tissue of organs.
 Cells- composed of many types
 1. Blast Cells: undifferentiated cells
 -fibroblast
 - chondroblast
 -osteoblast
 -hematopoietic stem cells
 2. Fat Cells- nutrient storage
 3. Blood cells- defense
 4. Plasma Cells-produce antibodies
 5. Macrophages- dispose of dead tissue cells and act in
immune response
Connective Tissue Proper
 Loose (Areolar) Connective Tissue
 Adipose Tissue
 Dense Connective Tissue
 Fibers not abundant
 Extensive blood supply
 Examples of locations
 Between skin and muscles
 Around digestive tract
 Around blood vessels
 “Packing material” of body
 Still loose connective tissue
 Most of the volume is adipocytes
 Provides padding, slows heat loss, food reserve
 Locations
 Common under skin of
sides, gluteal, and
mammary regions
 Wherever there is loose
connective tissue
 Lots of collagen fibers
 Examples
 Tendons (muscle  bone)
 Ligaments (bone  bone)
 Some has elastic fibers
 Cartilage
 Dense network of collagenous fibers & elastic fibers in a
gel-like substance
 Avascular…repair capabilities limited
 Cells –
 chondrocytes in lacunae
 chondroblasts
 Perichondrium – surrounds surface of cartilage
 Most common
 Provides flexibility and support
 Locations
 Ends of bones larynx
 Trachea, embryonic skeleton
 Connecting ribs to sternum
 Visible collagenous fibers with scattered
chondrocytes
 Provides strength and rigidity
 Locations
 Intervertebral discs
 Symphysis pubis
 Resilient and flexible
 External ear(pinna)
 Epiglottis
 Auditory tube
 Tolerates distortion without damage
 Bone (aka osseous tissue)
 Solid matrix (solid Ca cpds)
 Cells –
 Osteocytes in lacunae
 Osteoblasts
 Periosteum surrounds surface of bone
 Functions
 Transport medium
 Regulation
 Protection
 Composition
 Plasma – fluid
 Formed elements – cells & cell fragments
 Red blood cell
 White blood cell
 Platelets (important in clotting)