L2.6: Connective Tissue

• Hallmarks of connective tissues

  • Variations in blood supply
  • Extracellular matrix (ECM)
• • Some are well vascularized (that is, they have a good blood supply). Most fall under vascular.
  • Some have poor blood supply or are avascular. All these structures heal very slowly when injured.
  • Tendons and Ligaments = poor blood supply.
  • Cartilage = avascular
  • Can either be:
  • Avascular (no blood supply) – cartilage; fat
  • Slightly vascular (poor blood supply)
  • Highly vascular (with blood supply) – bone


  Variations in Blood Supply
• • Non-living substance found outside the cells.
  • Composed of two main elements:
  • Ground Substance – largely water, along with some cell adhesion proteins and charged polysaccharide molecules.
  • Fibers – Unique Characteristic of a Connective Tissue
  • Collagen (white) fibers: Rope-like, Thick fiber (magkadikit-dikit).
  • Elastic hair-like (yellow) fibers: Single scattered fibers
  • Reticular fibers (Modified collagen): Forms net-like structure


  Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
• Types of connective tissues

  • Bone
  • Cartilage
  • Dense connective tissues
  • Loose connective tissues
  • Blood
• Definition

  • Found everywhere in the body to connect body parts.
  • FOUR Types of Connective Tissue: Fibrous (dense loose), bone, cartilage, blood.
  • COLLAGEN - is a major protein found in connective tissue



  Connective tissue
• Functions

  • Protection/Support — Structure, framework, shape.
  • Cushioning
  • Insulation


  Connective tissue
• Structure

  • Ligaments – connect a bone to a bone
  • Tendons – connect the muscle to the bone


  connective tissue
• Location

  • Adipose, Bone. Bone Marrow, Blood, Ligaments, Lymph nodes, Spleen, Tendons


  connective tissue
• Examples

  • Bonds body tissues together
  • Supports the body
  • Provides protection


  connective tissue