Connective Tissue

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▪ Connective tissues consist of cells and the
extracellular matrix they secrete
▪ Connective tissues connect body parts andprovide
structural and functional support toother body tissues

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 Soft Connective Tissues

Loose connective tissue Dense connective tissue

Fibroblasts secrete a matrix (dense collagen fibers)
of complex carbohydrates ▪ Dense irregular: Supports
with fibers dispersed widely skin, internal organs
through the matrix ▪ Dense regular: Ligaments
and tendons

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 Specialized Connective Tissues

Cartilage Blood Bone

Rubbery extracellular Transport of respiratory Rigid support, muscle
matrix, gases, nutrients, wastes attachment,
supports and cushions and other substances. protection, mineral
bones storage, blood
production.

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 Loose Connective Tissue : Areolar

Description: Gel-like matrix with all three fiber types;

cells: fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and some
white blood cells.

Function: Wraps and cushions organs; its macrophages

phagocytize bacteria; plays importantrole
ininflammation; holds and conveys tissue fluid.

Location: Widely distributed under epithelia of body,

e.g. forms lamina propria of mucous membranes; packages
organs; surrounds capillaries

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 Loose connective Tissue , Adipose

Description: Matrix as in areolar, but very sparse; closely

packed adipocytes, or fat cells, have nucleus pushed to the side
by large fat droplet.

Function: Provides reserve food fuel; insulates against heat

loss; supports and protects organs.

Location: Under skin; around kidneys and eyeballs; within

abdomen; in breasts. between your internal organs (visceral fat)
and even in the inner cavities of bones (bone marrow adipose
tissue)

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 Loose connecting Tissue , Reticular

Description: Network of reticular fibers in a typical loose

ground substance; reticular cells lie on the network

Function: Fibers form a soft internal skeleton (stroma) that

supports other cell types including white blood cells, mast
cells, and macrophages

Location: Lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen).

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 Dense Connective Tissue,Dense Irregular

Description: Primarily irregularly arranged collagen fibers; some

elastic fibers; major cell type is the fibroblast.

Function: Able to withstand tension exerted in many directions;

provides structural strength.

Location: Dermis of the skin; submucosa of digestive tract;

fibrous capsules of organs and of joints.

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 Dense connective Tissue,Dense Regular

Description: Primarily parallel collagen fibers; a few elastin

fibers; major cell type is the fibroblast .

Function: Able to withstand tension exerted in many directions;

provides structural strength.

Location: Tendons, most ligaments, aponeuroses

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 Specialized Connective Tissues
Cartilage :Hyaline

Description: Amorphous but firm matrix; collagen fibers form an

imperceptible network; chondroblasts produce the matrix and when
mature (chondrocytes) lie in lacunae.

Function: Supports and reinforces; has resilient cushioning

properties; resists compressive stress smoothen the bone surface
at the joints.It is essential for the development and growth for
long bones.
Location: Forms most of the embryonic skeleton; covers the ends
of long bones in joint cavities; forms costal cartilages of the
ribs; cartilages of the nose, trachea, and larynx.

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 Cartilage : Elastic

Description: Similar to hyaline cartilage, but more elastic

fibers in matrix. Protects your joints and bones.

Function: Maintains the shape of a structure while allowing great

flexibility. It acts as a shock absorber throughout your body.
Cartilage at the end of your bones reduces friction and prevents
them from rubbing together when you use your joints

Location: Supports the external ear (pinna); epiglottis.

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 Cartilage:Fibrocartilage

Description:Matrix similar to but less firm than that in hyaline

cartilage; thick collagen fibers predominate.It forms the
intervertebral discs of the spine and menisci of the knee,as well
as smaller structures such as the glenoid and acetabular labra,
and the lining of bony grooves for tendons.

Function:
1) Tensile strength with the ability to absorb compressive shock.
2)Provides the tough materials of the intervertebral discs.

Location:
Intervertebral discs,pubic symphysis, discs of knee joint.
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 Bone : Osseous Tissue

Description: Hard, calcified matrix containing many collagen

fibers; osteocytes lie in lacunae. Very well vascularized

Function:
1)Bone supports and protects (by enclosing)
2) provides levers for the muscles to act on
3) stores calcium and other minerals and fat;
4) marrow inside bones is the site for blood cell formation
(hematopoiesis).

Location:Bones

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 Blood

Description: Red and white blood cells in a fluid matrix (plasma)

Function: Transport of respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes and

other substances.

Location: Contained within blood vessels.

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 Thanks!
Everything good comes from God and everything bad, wrong and
mistakes come from ourself.

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