Connective Tissue

Rini S Hrp
FK UMSU-Nop 2021
 Introduction
• forms a continuum with epithelial tissue,
muscle, and nervous tissue to maintain a
functionally integrated body.
• Originate from mesoderm
• Classified as connective tissue proper, and
specialized connective tissue (i.e., cartilage,
bone, and blood)
• composed of cells (fibroblast, condroblast,
condrocyte, osteoblast, osteocyte, adipocyte,
macrophage) and extracellular matrix
consisting of ground substance (proteoglikan,
glikosaminoglikan, glikoprotein, mineral) and
fibers (Collagen, elastic, retculin).
 FUNCTIONS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE
• Providing structural support
• Serving as a medium for exchange
• Aiding in the defense and protection of the body
• Forming a site for storage of fat
 Extracellular Matrix
Ground substance
• glycosaminoglycans, {(sulfate (keratin
sulfate, etc) and non sulfate (hyaluronic
acid)}
• proteoglycans, covalently linked to
Cellular hyaluronic acid, forming huge
Components macromolecules called aggrecan
aggregates, which are responsible for the
- Fixed Cells gel state of the extracellular matrix.
- Transient cells • adhesive glycoproteins, (for fastening
the various components of the
extracellular matrix to one another and
to integrins and dystroglycans of the cell
membrane.
Fibers
- Collagen :
• Type I: in connective tissue proper, bone,
dentin, and cementum
• Type II: in hyaline and elastic cartilages
• Type III: reticular fibers
• Type IV: lamina densa of the basal lamina
• Type V: in the placenta; associated with
type I collagen
• Type VII: attaching the basal lamina to
the lamina reticularis
• - Elastic : elastin and microfibrils
 Origins of
connective
tissue cells
 Cellular components
• Fixed cells
are a stable and long-lived population that includes:
Fibroblasts, Adipose cells, Pericytes, Mast cells,
Macrophages
• Transient cells
these cells leave the bloodstream and migrate into the
connective tissue to perform their specific functions.
Usually short-lived, they must be replaced continually
from a large population of stem cells, includes : Plasma
cells, Lymphocytes, Neutrophils , Eosinophils,
Basophils, Monocytes, Macrophages
Functions of the Cells in Connective Tissue Proper
■ Fibroblasts are responsible for synthesis of various fibers and extracellular
matrix components, such as collagen, elastic,and reticular fibers.
■ Macrophages contain many lysosomes and are involved in the removal of
cell debris and the ingestion of foreign substances; they also aid in
antigen presentation to the immune system.
■ Adipocytes function to store neutral fats for energy or production of heat
and are involved in hormone secretion.
■ Mast cells contain many granules, indirectly participate in allergic
reactions, and act against microbial invasion.
■ Plasma cells are derived from B lymphocytes and are responsible for the
production of antibodies in the immune response.
■ Lymphocytes participate in the immune response and protect against
foreign invasion.
■ Neutrophils are the fi rst line of defense against bacterial invasion.
■ Eosinophils have antiparasitic activity and moderate allergic reactions.
■ Basophils have a (primary) function similar to mast cells; they mediate
hypersensitivity reactions.
 Subtype of connective tissue
Loose (areolar)

Dense regular • More cells

Dense Irregular
• Fewer fibers;
• Fewer cells, fibers are
• Fewer cells,
• more fibers randomly
• more fibers; fibers distributed.
are arranged • Fibers are
without definite arranged in • Ricgly
orientation. uniform vascularized,
orientation. flexible, not highly
• Dermis resistant to stress
• Tendon, ligament.
• Beneath
epithelium.
 Subtype of conn tissue…. (con’t)

adipose
reticular elastic
• Adipocytes
predominant. • Reticular • Elastic fibers
• Supported by fibers predominant
reticular predominant
fibers.
 Subtype of conn tissue

Mucus
Mesenchyme
• Spindle-shaped
• Mesenchymal cells fibroblasts, jelly-like
predominan;hyaluronic matrix (Wharton jelly)
acid matrix high in heparan sulfate
proteoglycan.
 Functions of Connective Tissue
• Provides strong fiber meshwork to resist stress
Dense from all directions (exp dermis of the skin)
Irregular • Provides protective covering of organs ( exp
capsule of the kidney)

Dense • Provides resistance to traction forces in a single

regular specific direction (exp tendons, ligaments)

• Provides suspension and support for tissues that

are not subjected to strong forces and forms
Loose conduit in which vessels and nerves course.
(areolar) • Cells
immunein loose conn (exp
functions tissuelamina
have defense and
propria of digestive
tract).
 Functions of Connective Tissue

• Provides both cushioning for organs and energy

Adipose storage
• Involved of hormone secretions

• Provides supportive framework for hematopoietic

Reticular and solid organs. (liver and pancreas)

• Provides distensible support and accomodates

pressure changes on the walls of the arteries
Elastic closest to the heart (vertebral ligaments, large
arteries).
 Functions of Connective Tissue

• Gives rise to all types of connective tissues

Mesenchymal (embryonic mesoderm)

• Provides cushioning for the nucleus pulposus of the

Mucous intervertebral disk and helps prevent kinking in the
blood vessels of the umbilical cord.
 Refferences
• Junqueira, L.C. & Carneiro, J. Basic Histology, Text & Atlas,
11th edition, Lange Medical Books McGraw-Hill. 2005
• Gartner, L.P. & Hiatt, J.L. Colour Textbook of Histology, Third
Edition. 2007
• Johnson KE. Quick review histologi & biologi sel. Binarupa
aksara publisher. 2011
• Cui D. Atlas of histology with functional and clinical
correlations. 1st edition, LippincottWilliams & Wilkins, a
Walters Kluwer Bussiness. 2011
• Gartner LP, Hiatt JL, Strum JM. Essential Biologi sel dan
Histologi. Editor Saputra L. Ed 6. binarupa aksara publisher.
2012.