Types of Connective Tissue
Fall 2008
Animal Growth & Development
ANSC 590
Tarleton State University
Major Functions of Connective Tissue
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Protective package
Support and bear weight
Mobility
Transmit force
Pathway for cell migration, ions, proteins,
metabolites, etc.
Structural barrier and immune response to
infection or invasion
Organ maintenance, defense, and repair
Wound healing
Storage
Collagen & Elastin Percentage Comparisons
in Selected Connective Tissues *
*Adapted from A.J. Baily & N. Light, 1989
4 Types of Connective Tissue
1. Loose
2. Dense
3. Adipose
4. Supportive
Loose Connective Tissue
Characteristics
• Porous
• Highly flexible yet strong
• Relatively few collagen or elastin
fibers
• Highly vascular
• Many cells
Dense Connective Tissue
Characteristics
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Many fibers
High in Collagen and Elastin
Very strong with little flexibility
Minimally vascular
Dense Connective Tissue
Regular vs. Irregular
• Regular has aligned fibers for maximal tensile
strength. - i.e. tendons
• Irregular Dense Connective Tissue has a
random lay of fibers to resist forces from many
directions by always providing opposition. - i.e.
skin
Adipose Connective Tissue
Characteristics
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Specialized
Stores triglycerides
Stores energy
Insulates
Pliable
Cushions
Important for animal growth
Around critical organs
Highly vascular
Supportive Connective Tissue
Characteristics
• Specialized
• Matrix consists of hyaluronic acid,
chondroitin 4-sulfate, chodroitin 6sulfate, keratin sulfate, and
chondrocytes
• Minimally vascular so thin and
layered
Supportive Connective Tissue
Interstitial Growth
vs.
Appositional Growth
• Interstitial Growth occurs within the tissue by
filling newly-formed lacunae then creating
replacement lacunae.
• Appositional Growth occurs outside the tissue
by forming new layers.
Supportive Connective Tissue
3 Types of Cartilage
1. Hyaline Cartilage:
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Many collagen fibrils - 40% of total weight of hyaline cartilage
Bluish-white
Resistant to constant pressure and friction – i.e. rigid rings of
trachea
2. Elastic Cartilage:
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Much elastin with little collagen
Very flexible without gross rigidity – i.e. external ear
3. Fibrocartilage:
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Mostly collagen
Very rigid with little or no flexibility – i.e. between pelvic bone &
pubis
Referred to as “Almost Bone”