Connective Tissues

• Connective Tissues 


  • tissue provides support, connects, and separates different types of tissues and organs in the body. • components: cells, fibers and extracellular matrix (large amount)
• Cells:

  (1) fibroblasts, (2) adipocytes, (3) chondrocytes, (4) osteocytes, (5) blood cells
• Fibroblasts


  cells that synthesize protein fibers for the matrix. o collagen fibers o elastic fibers o reticular fibers
• Chondroblast 


  produce cartilage
• Chondrocytes


  mature cartilage cells
• Osteoblasts 


  bone-forming cell
• Osteocytes 


  mature bone cells
• Osteoclasts 


  bone resorption cells
• Osteon


  basic unit of compact bone.
• Extracellular Matrix (ECM)


  -fibrous protein

  -ground matrix

  -tissue fluid
• Fibers:

  -reticular (mesh/web-like)

  -collagen (thick)

  -elastic (thin, flexible for movement)
• Types of connective tissue

  -connective tissue proper

  -supportive connective tissue

  -fluid connective tissue
• Connective tissue proper

  Includes both loose connective tissue and dense connective tissue.
• Loose connective tissue proper

  -connective tissue has a higher amount of ground tissue as compared to fibers.
• Loose connective tissue proper

  -Location: between organs, muscles, blood vessels, glands , skin

  -Structure: collagen fibers far apart. -Function: support and protection