1. Connective Tissue (CT)
Characteristics
CT is most varied tissue in make-up, location, and function
Lots of intracellular space= (matrix)
Matrix contains fibers and ground substance
Usually vascular
Made from mesenchyme- embryonic CT

2. CT Classification proper fluid supporting blood lymph regular r
loose
bone
dense
cartilage
blood
lymph I r
regular
compact
spongy
elastic
regular
fiborous
elastic
reticular
Areo l ar
hylaine
adipose

3. Functions of CT Establishes structural framework Transport substances
Protection of organs
Supporting, surrounding, and interconnecting other tissue types
Storing energy reserves
Defending body from invading microbes

4. Types of CT CT proper- ex. fat, tendons Fluid CT- ex. blood, lymph
- divided into 2 types based on proportions of cells, fibers, ground substance
a. Loose
b. Dense
Fluid CT- ex. blood, lymph
Supporting CT- ex. Cartilage, osseous

5. Cells of CT ALWAYS ( in CT proper)
1. Fibroblasts- make ground substance
MAYBE
Macrophages- large amoeboid, engulf pathogens
Chondrocytes- cartilage cells
Adipocytes- fat cells
Erythrocytes- RBC
Mesenchymal- stem cells, respond to local injury by making more cells
Mast cells-stimulate local inflammation after injury
Many others

6. Fibers of CT
Collagen- strongest, long, straight, unbranched, like rope, make up ligaments and tendons
Reticular- same fibers as collagen, web-like, support
3. Elastic- branched, wavy, stretch and return to original length, connect vertebrae

7. CT proper Loose CT- “packing material”,
a. Areolar –separates skin from deeper tissues

8. CT proper Loose CT- “packing material”,
b. Adipose – store energy, insulate, protect (padding)

9. CT proper Loose CT- “packing material”,
c. Reticular- interlacing fibers create stroma(3-D network), inside organs of liver and spleen

10. CT proper Dense CT-”fibrous tissue”
a. Regular- collagen fibers run parallel
ex. Tendons

11. CT proper Dense CT-”fibrous tissue”
b. Irregular- collagen fibers interwoven in no pattern
ex. Nerve and muscle sheaths

12. CT proper Dense CT-”fibrous tissue”
c. Elastic- a type of dense, regular, w/ more elastic fibers
ex- walls of bl.v

13. Fluid CT Blood a. Formed elements- RBC, WBC, platelets
b. Plasma- watery matrix
2. Lymph

14. Supporting CT Cartilage a. avascular
b. Surrounded by perochondrium (for attachment)
c. Cells called chondrocytes, located in lacunae or nests
d. Matrix is gel-like

15. 2. Types of Cartilage Hyaline -most common in body
-few, closely packed collagen fibers
-tough, and flexible
-makes up fetal skeleton
- adult –trachea rings, nose, costal area of ribs

16. 2. Types of Cartilage
Elastic
-elastic fibers
-outer ear

17. 2. Types of Cartilage C. Fibrocartilage
-many collagen fibers, little matrix
-between vertebrae, cushions, absorbs shock

18. 3. Osseous Tissue/Bone Matrix is solid, made of 1. collagen fibers
2. calcium salts
B. Cells are osteocytes, located in nests called “lacunae”
C. Covered with periosteum- has fibrous layer for attachment, and cellular layer for repair

19. Spongy Bone
Made of trabeculae
Contain lacunae and osteocytes

20. CT Classification proper fluid supporting blood lymph regular elastic
dense
loose
bone
cartilage
blood
lymph I r
regular
regular
compact
spongy
elastic
reticular
fiborous
elastic
Areo l ar
hylaine
adipose