Connective Tissue

What are 6 main functions of

connective tissue?

1) Structural framework for body

2) Transportation of fluids and dissolved
substances
3) Protection of delicate organs
4) Supports, surrounds, and connects other
tissues
5) Storage of energy in the form of lipids
6) Defend the body against microorganisms
 What are the three main classifications of
connective tissue and their subcatagories?

1) Connective tissue proper

a) Loose connective
b) Dense connective
2) Fluid connective tissue
a) Blood
b) Lymph
3) Supporting connective tissue
a) Cartilage
b) Bone
 What are the three main categories of
connective tissues?
Connective Tissue
Connective tissue proper Fluid connective tissue Supporting connective tissue
 What are the subcategories of the three
main categories of connective tissue?
Connective Tissue
Connective tissue proper Fluid connective tissue Supporting connective tissue

Loose connective Dense connective Blood Lymph Cartilage Bone

tissue tissue
 What is the general composition and
location of the subcategories?
Connective Tissue
Connective tissue proper Fluid connective tissue Supporting connective tissue

Loose connective Dense connective Blood Lymph Cartilage Bone

tissue tissue

Fibers Fibers Contained Contained Solid, Solid,

create densely in in lymphatic rubbery crystalline
loose, open packed circulatory system matrix matrix
framework system
 What kind of tissue is this?
Embryonic connective tissue:
Mesenchyme
 What are three special
features?

Star shaped
mesenchymal
cell

Gelatinous 3-D
matrix material
or ground
substance
 What is its main function?

It gives rise to all

other connective
tissues
 Where is this tissue located?

•In the Embryo

 What kind of tissue is this?
Loose connective tissue, a.k.a. areolar connective tissue
 What are 4 special features?

Elastic Fibers

Collagen Fibers

Fibroblast nuclei

Macrophages, mast
cells, and some white
blood cells
 What are its 3 main functions?

1) Surrounds and
cushions organs

2) Secondary defense
system below the
skin

3) Transportation and
holding of fluids
 Where is this tissue located?

• Under epithelia
(fascia)

• Around organs

• Surrounding
capillaries
 What kind of tissue is this?
Adipose connective tissue
 What are 3 special features?

Vacuole containing
fat/oil droplets

Nuclei pushed to
side of cell

Adipocyte
(fat cell)
 What are its 4 main functions?
1) Insulation

2) Energy (lipid) reserve

3) Support and
cushioning of organs

4) Protection of organs
 Where is this tissue located?

•Hypodermis
•Around:
~Kidneys
~Eyeballs
•On surface of heart
•Female breasts
•Hips
•Abdominal region
 What kind of tissue is this?
Reticular connective tissue
 What are 3 special features?

Lymphocyte

3-D matrix of
reticular fibers

Mast cells
 What is its main function?

Support of other
cell types
Where is this tissue located?

•Liver

•Spleen

•Lymph
nodes

•Bone
marrow
 What kind of tissue is this?
Dense white fibrous connective tissue,
irregularly arranged
 What are 2 special features?

Fibroblasts

3-D matrix material

of 100% interwoven
collagen fibers
 What are its 4 main functions?

1) Attachment

2) Structural strength

3) Movement

4) Reduction of friction
 Where is this tissue located?

•Dermis
•Submucosa of digestive
tract
•Fibrous capsules of
organs and joints
•Covering skeletal
muscle
•Nerve and muscle
sheaths
 What kind of tissue is this?
Dense white fibrous connective tissue,
regularly-arranged
 What are 2 special features?

Fibroblasts make
the collagen fibers

3-D matrix of 100%

collagen fibers
 What are its 3 main functions?

1) Attachment of
muscle to bone
and bone to
bone
2) Friction
reduction
3) Stabilizing
relative bone
position
 Where is this tissue located?

•Tendons
•Most ligaments
•Aponeurosis
•Perichondrium
•Periosteum
•Deep fasciae
 What kind of tissue is this?

Hyaline cartilage
 What are 3 special features?

Chondrocyte

Lacuna

3-D matrix of
cartilage plus a
few collagen fibers
 What are its 2 main functions?

1) Support

2) Reinforcement
 Where is this tissue located?
•Embryonic skeleton

•End of long bones

•(articular cartilages)

•Costal cartilages

•Cartilage of:
~Nose
~Trachea
~Larynx
 What kind of tissue is this?

Elastic cartilage
 What are 3 special features?

Chondrocyte

Lacuna

3D matrix of
Cartilage plus
elastic fibers
 What are its 2 main functions?

1) Maintains shape
and structure

2) Allows flexibility
 Where is this tissue located?

•External ear

•Epiglottis

•Auditory canal
 What kind of tissue is this?

Fibrocartilage
 What are 4 special features?

Chondrocytes in
lacunae

3-D matrix of
cartilage plus lots
of collagen fibers
 What are its 2 main functions?

1) Strength

2) Absorption of
compressive
shock
 Where is this tissue located?

•Pubis symphysis

•Intervertebral discs
 What kind of tissue is this?
Compact bone (osseous tissue)
 What are 5 special features?

Carbon skeletons of
osteocytes

Lacunae

Lamellae (layers)
Haversian canal

Canaliculi
 What are its 4 main functions?

1) Support

2) Protection

3) Storage of Ca+2

4) Hematopoiesis
(done by
cancellous bone
only)
Where is this tissue located?

Bones
What kind of tissue is this?

Blood
 What are 3 special features?

Erythrocytes
(red blood cells)

Leukocytes
(white blood cells)

3-D matrix is liquid

blood plasma
What is its main function?

Transportation of
nutrients, oxygen,
hormones and
wastes
 Where is this tissue located?

Within blood vessels