CONNECTIVE TISSUE By

Muhammad Salman
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Function:
- Binds structures together
- Provides support & protection
- Fills spaces
- Produces blood cells
- Stores fat
 For energy, insulation, organ protection
PARTS OF TISSUES
Structure:
- Tissue cells are widely separated by extracellular matrix
- Can be solid, semisolid, or liquid
Matrix of connective tissue determine its properties
FIBERS OF THE MATRIX
White fibers – contain collagen which gives the fibers flexibility and
strength
Yellow fibers – contain elastin more elastic than collagen but not as
strong
Reticular fibers – thin, highly branched collagenous fibers that
provide support
1. FIBROUS CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Loose (areolar) connective tissue
adipose

Dense connective tissue

Regular
irregular

Reticular connective tissue

A. LOOSE (AREOLAR) CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Lies between other tissues or between
organs binding them
Cells made of fibroblasts – large, star-
shaped cells
Contains many white fibers (strong and
flexible) and yellow fibers (very elastic)
Adipose tissue is a type of loose
connective tissue
- stores fats, provides insulation
- found beneath skin, around kidney
& heart, breast
B. DENSE CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Regular Irregular
Consists of parallel bundles of Bundles run in different direction
collagenous fibers
Found in inner portion of skin
Found in tendons & ligaments
Binds organs together
Dense Regular Dense Irregular
 2. CARTILAGE
The cell (chondrocytes) lies in
small chambers called lacunae
Matrix is solid yet flexible
Lacks direct blood supply, as a
result, it heals slowly
3 types
- Hyaline cartilage-trachea
- Elastic cartilage – ear
- Fibrocartilage - ACL
3. BONES
Most rigid of the connective tissues
Minerals and protein fibers gives bone rigidity, elasticity and strength
Two types:
Compact bone
Spongy bone
A. COMPACT BONE
Found in the outer portion of long bones
Consists of many cylindrical-shaped units called osteon
 B. SPONGY BONE
Found on ends of long bone
Contains bony bars and plates called
trabeculae separated by irregular spaces
Blood cells are made within the red marrow
found in the spongy bone
 4. BLOOD
Connective tissue composed of
cells suspended in liquid matrix
called plasma
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) –
carries oxygen
White blood cells (leukocytes) –
fights infection
Platelets – fragment of giant cells
found in bone marrow