What are fibers considered as in connective tissue?
Structural support
What is the general configuration of connective tissue?
Fluid matrix (gel)
What are the two characteristics of connective tissue?
- Relatively few cells
- Abundance of extracellular matrix
What are the two characteristics of the connective tissue matrix?
- Ground substance (highly hydrated gel)
- Has three different fibers (collagen, reticular, elastic)
What is collagen?
Form bundles that provide tensile strength
Where is collagen found?
Between muscle and bone (tendons)
What is reticular?
Form branching network that supports cells (strong and resilient)
What is the structure of reticular fiber?
Mesh; fibers come in different directions
What is elastic?
Thin branching fibers that function like rubber bands (recoil)
What are the two characteristics of the connective tissue structure?
- Fibroblasts secrete ground substance (gel matrix) and fibres
- Macrophages ingest debris and function in immune response
What is the classification of connective tissue based on?
- Density of fibers
- Types of fibers
- Preponderance of specific cell type
What are mesenchyme?
Stem cells
Where are mesenchyme found?
In developing embryo
What is important about mesenchyme?
Remain as stem cells in adult tissue
What are the three characteristics of loose connective tissue?
- Packing material - fill spaces between organs, provide cushioning and support
- Abundance of ground substance or cells
- Relatively few fibers
What are the three types of loose connective tissue?
- Areolar
- Adipose
- Reticular
What are the three characteristics of areolar connective tissue?
- Most common and least specialized connective tissue
- Links together other tissues and organs throughout body
- Open framework - ground substance and elastic fibers
What are the three characteristics of adipose connective tissue?
- Fat tissue (determined through genetics, sex, age, metabolic activity)
- Forms deposits in specific area of the body
- Functions in padding, insulation and energy storage
What are the two characteristics of dense connective tissue?
- Abundance of fibers
- Relatively little ground substance and few cells
What are the two characteristics of dense irregular connective tissue?
- Fibers unaligned and run at a variety of angles
- Forms dermis of skin, organ capsules, sheaths around bones, muscles and nerves
What are the two characteristics of dense regular connective tissue?
- Fibers aligned in one direction
- Forms tendons (muscle to bone) and ligaments (bone to bone)
What is the structural unit of membranes?
Composed of epithelium and connective tissue
What do membranes line?
Line surfaces, cavities and hollow organs
What does the mucous membrane line?
Lungs and digestive tract
