MMHS Anatomy
Location and Description
Location:
 Found throughout the body but never exposed to the
external environment.
Description:
 Made up of specialized cells.
 Contains extracellular protein fibers called “matrix”.
 “Ground Substance” fluid found throughout.
 May or May not be highly vascularized.
 Bone, Blood, Loose Connective, Adipose = Vascular
 Cartilage, Dense Connective = Poorly vascularized
Functions of Connective Tissue
1. Provides a structural framework of the
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body.
Transports Fluids
Binds together other body tissues.
Protection of vital internal organs.
Stores long-term energy.
Loose Connective
 Contains a disorganized “packing
material” that fills spaces between organs
and cushions and supports epithelia.
Adipose tissue: looks like droplets of lipids:
functions to pad and insulate the body.
 Nuclei are squished to the side.
Dense Connective
 Collagen fibers dominated this tissue.
 Fibers are tightly packed and run parallel
to each other.
 Fibers often have “wavy” appearance.
Examples: tendons, ligaments, and elastic
tissue.
Blood
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) = the most
numerous and biconcave-shaped cells.
Transport gases.
 White blood cells (leukocytes)= fewer in number;
large, irregularly-shaped, fight diseases.
 Plasma = made up of a watery fluid.
 Platelets (thrombocytes)= fragments of cells
that clot blood.
Hyaline Cartilage
 Most common type of cartilage
 Collagen fibers are so closely packed and so
appear to be absent..
 Locations: Connections between ribs,
coverings of elbow and knee.
Compact Bone
 Made up of collagen fibers and calcium salts.
 Lacunae (compartments within bone) contain
osteocytes.
 Bone tissue is highly vascularized = diffusion of
gases occurs between osteocytes through
canaliculi.
Spongy “Cancellous” Bone
 Made up of bone columns called trabeculae.
 Lacunae contain osteocytes.
 Spongy Bone tissue contains red marrow.
 Found in the ends of long bones called epiphyses.
 Cushions impact during falls and distributes force
to the compact bone.
 Contains many air spaces in the tissue.