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Comprehensive Guide to Connective Tissue Types and Functions

Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed tissue type in the body, serving functions such as binding, support, protection, and storage. This guide covers the characteristics, functions, and locations of various connective tissue types, including loose connective tissue (areolar, reticular, adipose), dense connective tissue (regular, irregular), cartilage (hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage), bone, and blood. Learn about the structure of connective tissue fibers and their role in maintaining tissue integrity.

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Comprehensive Guide to Connective Tissue Types and Functions

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  1. Connective Tissue

  2. Most abundant, variable, and widely distributed of all tissue types.

  3. Functions • Binding • Support • Protection • Storage • Transport

  4. Characteristics • Most are well-vascularized • All are made up of: • Cells • Extra-cellular matrix – nonliving, 2 components: • Ground Substance – glue-like material between cells • Fibers – vary depending on tissue types

  5. 3 Types of Fibers • Collagenous – woven strands of the protein collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body • Thick fibers • Great tensile strength (hard to pull apart) Collagen Fibers as seen with a scanning electron microscope Close-up of a single fiber

  6. Reticular – thin collagen fiber coated with glycoproteins • Branch extensively • Form frameworks for organs Fibers are stained black in this pic of the liver

  7. Elastic– made of the protein elastin • Can stretch and recoil • Found in lungs, arteries, and skin In this slide, “A” is an elastic fiber – what do you suppose “B” is?

  8. Loose Connective Tissue – 3 Types • Lots of cells • Lots of ground substance • Lots of empty space • Few Fibers • Vascular

  9. 1. Areolar Functions • Cushions & protects • Packages & binds • Immune defense • Water & salt reservoir Locations • Surrounds organs • Underlies most epithelia

  10. 2. Reticular Functions • Forms the stroma, or framework, inside lymphatic organs Locations • Lymph nodes • Spleen • Thymus • Bone marrow

  11. 3. Adipose Functions • Energy storage • Thermal insulation • Shock absorption • Protective cushioning for some organs Locations • Fat beneath skin • Breast • Heart surface • Kidneys, eyes

  12. Dense Connective Tissue – 2 Types • Lots of fibers • Few cells • Little ground substance • Very few blood vessels

  13. 1. Dense Regular Functions • Bind muscle to bone and transfer tension • Bind bone to bone and resist stress Locations • Tendons • Ligaments

  14. 2. Dense Irregular Functions • Provides durable, hard to tear structure, that can withstand a variety of stresses Locations • Deep portion of skin • Capsules around visceral organs e.g. spleen, liver, kidney • Fibrous sheaths around cartilage and bone

  15. Cartilage – 3 types • Avascular • Metabolism and rate of mitosis is slow, so healing is a long process Based on this, why do you suppose shark cartilage has been touted as a possible aid in the fight against cancer?

  16. 1. Hyaline Functions • Precursor to bone skeleton • Attachment • Eases joint movements Locations • Fetal skeleton • Ribs-sternum • Ends of bones

  17. 2. Elastic Functions • Flexible, elastic support Locations • External ear • epiglottis

  18. 3. Fibrocartilage Functions • Resists compression • Absorbs shock Locations • Pubic symphysis • Intervertebral discs • Menisci (shock-absorbing pads of knee)

  19. Bone Functions • Support, protection • Calcified matrix • Collagen fibers Locations • You know where…

  20. Blood Functions • Transports nutrients, wastes, gases • Fluid matrix • Fibers visible during clotting Locations • Hmmm??

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