Lecture # 3 - Chapter 3

Connective Tissues
Connective Tissue
● The most abundant type of tissue!

● Collagen is a major protein found in connective tissue

○ Also the most common protein found in the body

● Functions:
○ Provides protection
○ Binds body tissues together
○ Supports the body

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Vascularity – blood supply
● Variations in blood supply
○ Some are well vascularized
○ Some have a poor blood supply or are avascular;
■ Examples include: tendons, ligaments
● As a result, these take longer to heal

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The Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
● a unique and distinguishing characteristic of
connective tissue

● Nonliving material that surrounds living cells

○ Gelatinous-like material
○ Secreted by the connective tissue cells

● Composed of two main components:

○ Ground Substance
○ Fibers

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Ground Substance

● Secreted by connective tissue cells

● Similar to cytosol in composition and function

● Composed of:
○ mostly water
○ adhesion proteins
○ polysaccharides
Fibers
⚫ Secreted by connective tissue cells
⚫ Three types in various combinations:
1. Collagen (white) fibers
⚫ Allow CT to withstand pulling/tension
2. Elastic (yellow) fibers
⚫ Contain elastin- allows stretching
3. Reticular fibers
⚫ Short fibers that create a mesh-like network
Connective Tissue Types
● From most rigid to softest, (or most fluid):
○ Bone
○ Cartilage
○ Dense connective tissue
○ Loose connective tissue
○ Blood

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BONE
● Known as osseous tissue
● Produced by Osteocytes (bone cells)
● A Hard matrix of calcium salts
● Functions to protect and support the body

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Figure 3.19a Connective tissues and their common body locations.

BONE
Bone
cells
Central
in lacunae
canal

Lacunae
Lamella

(a) Diagram: Bone Photomicrograph: Cross-sectional

view of ground bone (165×)
CARTILAGE
● more flexible than bone
○ Found in only a few places in the body

● Produced by Chondrocytes (cartilage cell)

● Three types of cartilage:
○ Hyaline (most abundant; larynx, intercostal, bone ends)
○ Elastic (external ear and epiglottis)
○ Fibrocartilage (intervertebral discs; pubic symphysis)

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Figure 3.19b Connective tissues and their common body locations.

HYALINE CARTILAGE

Chondrocyte
(cartilage cell)

Chondrocyte
in lacuna
Lacunae
Matrix

(b) Diagram: Hyaline Photomicrograph: Hyaline cartilage

cartilage from the trachea (400×)
Figure 3.19c Connective tissues and their common body locations.

FIBROCARTILAGE

Chondrocytes
in lacunae
Chondro-
cytes in
lacunae Collagen fiber
Collagen
fibers
(c) Diagram: Photomicrograph: Fibrocartilage of an
Fibrocartilage intervertebral disc (150×)
DENSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE
● Strong, ropelike structures
● Main matrix element is collagen fiber made by fibroblasts
○ Locations:
■ Tendons—attach skeletal muscle to bone
■ Ligaments—attach bone to bone at
■ Dermis—lower layer of the skin

● Found where strength of interconnection is required

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Figure 3.19d Connective tissues and their common body locations.

DENSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE:

Ligament And Tendon
Ligament
Tendon

Collagen
fibers
Collage
n
Nuclei of
fibers of
Nuclei fibroblasts
fibroblasts

(d) Diagram: Dense Photomicrograph: Dense fibrous

fibrous connective tissue from a tendon (475×)
LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE
● softer tissues; less fibrous
● provide cushioning, reduce friction, allow stretching
● Three types:
○ Areolar: wraps and secures organs
■ Lamina propria: areolar layer that underlies all mucous membranes
○ Adipose: fat cells; energy storage; insulation
○ Reticular: provides structural framework for organs/glands

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Figure 3.19e Connective tissues and their common body locations.

AREOLAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Mucosa
epithelium
Lamina Elastic
propria fibers
Collagen
fibers
Fibers of Fibroblast
matrix nuclei
Nuclei of
fibroblasts

(e) Diagram: Areolar Photomicrograph: Areolar connective tissue,

a soft packaging tissue of the body (270×)
Figure 3.19f Connective tissues and their common body locations.

ADIPOSE TISSUE

Nuclei of
fat cells
Vacuole
containing
fat droplet
Nuclei
of
Vacuole fat cells
containing
fat droplet
(f) Diagram: Adipose Photomicrograph: Adipose tissue from the
subcutaneous layer beneath the skin (570×)
Figure 3.19g Connective tissues and their common body locations.

RETICULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Splee
n

White blood cell

(lymphocyte)
Reticular
cell Reticular fibers
Blood
cell
Reticular
fibers
(g) Diagram: Reticular Photomicrograph: Dark-staining network
of reticular connective tissue (400×)
BLOOD
● Blood cells = red and white
○ surrounded by fluid matrix known as blood plasma
○ Soluble fibers are visible only during clotting
○ Function: transport vehicle for the CV system; delivers:
■ Nutrients
■ Wastes
■ Respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide)

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Figure 3.19h Connective tissues and their common body locations.

BLOOD
Blood
cells
in
capillary Neutrophil
(white blood
cell)

White Red blood

blood cell cells

Monocyte
Red (white blood
blood cell)
cells (h) Diagram: Blood Photomicrograph: Smear of human
blood (1290×)