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Connective Tissue Flashcards

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1
Q

Q: Why are bone, cartilage, blood, and connective tissue proper all classified as connective tissue?

A

A: They all arise from mesenchyme, a common embryonic mesoderm-derived stem cell population.

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2
Q

What are the four main types of connective tissue?

A

Connective tissue proper, bone, cartilage, and blood.

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3
Q

How is connective tissue proper subdivided at two levels?

A

• Loose connective tissue proper
• Dense connective tissue proper

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4
Q

What are the specific types under each category of connective tissue proper?

A

• Loose: areolar, adipose, reticular
• Dense: regular, irregular, elastic

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5
Q

Q: What is mesenchyme?

A

A: A loosely organized group of embryonic mesodermal stem cells that differentiate into all connective tissues

fibroblasts → CT proper
chondroblasts → cartilage
osteoblasts → bone
hematopoietic stem cells→ blood
adipocytes → adipose

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6
Q

What are the three main cell “–blast/–clast/–cyte” types in connective tissue?

A

• Blasts: immature, matrix-secreting cells
• Clasts: mature, matrix-resorbing cells
• Cytes: mature, matrix-maintaining cells

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7
Q

Give an example of a “blast” in each major connective tissue type.

A

• Fibroblast → secretes fibers & ground substance of CT proper
• Chondroblast → produces cartilage matrix
• Osteoblast → generates bone matrix

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8
Q

What happens to a blast once it becomes surrounded by its own matrix?

A

It matures into the corresponding “-cyte”:
• Fibroblast → fibrocyte
• Chondroblast → chondrocyte
• Osteoblast → osteocyte
These cytes then maintain the tissue.

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9
Q

What is the role of “clast” cells in connective tissue?

A

They resorb (break down) matrix for remodeling:
• Osteoclasts digest bone
• Chondroclasts break down cartilage

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10
Q

What are the two main components of the connective tissue extracellular matrix?

A
  1. Ground substance
  2. Fibers
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11
Q

What makes up the ground substance?

A

Interstitial fluid plus macromolecules, including:
• Proteoglycans (GAGs + core protein)
• Glycoproteins (e.g., fibronectin, laminin)
• Soluble proteins

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12
Q

What are the three fiber types in connective tissue?

A

• Collagen fibers (Type I collagen): strongest, tensile support
• Elastic fibers (elastin + fibrillin): stretch & recoil
• Reticular fibers (Type III collagen): fine network supporting cells

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13
Q

Why is collagen the most abundant protein in the body?

A

Its fibers provide high tensile strength and structural framework for most connective tissues.

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14
Q

Q: What does “reticular” mean in histology?

A

A: “Net-like”—describes fibers or structures that form a meshwork scaffold to anchor cells and support tissue architecture.

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15
Q

What is the main structural difference between loose and dense connective tissue?

A

Loose connective tissue has fewer, thinner, and more sparsely arranged collagen fibers, while dense connective tissue has many more, thicker, and densely packed fibers.

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16
Q

Which has more ground substance: loose or dense connective tissue?

A

Loose connective tissue has more ground substance than dense connective tissue.

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17
Q

Which has more fibroblasts: loose or dense connective tissue?

A

Dense connective tissue has more fibroblasts than loose connective tissue.

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18
Q

What are the three types of loose connective tissue?

A

Areolar, adipose, and reticular connective tissue.

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19
Q

What are the types of dense connective tissue?

A

Dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic connective tissue.

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20
Q

In loose connective tissue, what makes up most of the extracellular matrix?

A

Ground substance.

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21
Q

In dense connective tissue, what makes up most of the extracellular matrix?

A

Fibers (mainly collagen).

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22
Q

Describe the collagen fibers in loose connective tissue.

A

Thin and sparse.

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23
Q

Describe the collagen fibers in dense connective tissue.

A

Thick and densely packed.

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24
Q

What is the most abundant type of connective tissue in the body?

A

Areolar connective tissue.

Areolar connective tissue serves as a universal packing material between other tissues.

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25
Where is areolar connective tissue found?
Surrounds blood vessels, nerve bundles, muscles, and organs. ## Footnote It acts as a cushioning and supportive tissue.
26
What are the main functions of areolar connective tissue?
Provides support, flexibility, movement, and protection to organs and tissues. ## Footnote It also plays a role in inflammation and tissue repair.
27
What is the main cell type in adipose connective tissue?
Adipocytes (fat cells). ## Footnote Adipocytes store energy in the form of fat.
28
Where is adipose connective tissue found?
Under the skin (subcutaneous fat) and around organs (visceral fat). ## Footnote It is crucial for energy storage and insulation.
29
What are the main functions of adipose connective tissue?
Stores fat for energy, insulates the body, and cushions/protects organs. ## Footnote Adipose tissue also plays a role in hormone production.
30
What fibers are abundant in reticular connective tissue?
Reticular fibers. ## Footnote These fibers form a network that supports the cells in various organs.
31
Where is reticular connective tissue found?
Lymphatic organs (spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow). ## Footnote It is essential in the immune response.
32
What is the main function of reticular connective tissue?
Provides a supportive meshwork for cells in lymphatic organs. ## Footnote It helps to filter and trap pathogens.
33
What is the main function of dense regular connective tissue?
Resists tension in one direction. ## Footnote This property is crucial for structures that experience unidirectional stress.
34
Where is dense regular connective tissue found?
In tendons (muscle to bone) and ligaments (bone to bone). ## Footnote Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones at joints.
35
What is the main function of dense irregular connective tissue?
Resists tension in many directions. ## Footnote Its structure allows it to withstand stress from multiple angles.
36
Where is dense irregular connective tissue found?
Dermis of skin, organ capsules, and blood vessel walls. ## Footnote It provides strength and support to these structures.
37
What is the main function of elastic connective tissue?
Allows tissues to stretch and recoil. ## Footnote This elasticity is vital for structures that undergo frequent stretching.
38
Where is elastic connective tissue found?
Aorta, vocal cords, and some parts of the dermis. ## Footnote The aorta needs to expand and contract with each heartbeat.
39
What are the main cell types in osseous (bone) tissue?
Osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.
40
What is the function of osteoblasts?
Synthesize and secrete the organic part of bone matrix (osteoid).
41
What is the function of osteocytes?
Maintain bone matrix, sense mechanical stress, and help regulate bone remodeling.
42
What is the function of osteoclasts?
Break down (resorb) bone matrix.
43
What are the two main components of bone matrix?
Organic osteoid (collagen fibers and ground substance) and inorganic hydroxyapatite salts (calcium phosphate).
44
Is bone tissue vascular and innervated?
Yes, bone tissue contains blood vessels and nerves.
45
What is 'osteoid'?
The organic, non-mineralized part of the bone matrix (mainly collagen and ground substance).
46
What gives bone its hardness and strength?
Inorganic hydroxyapatite crystals (calcium phosphate salts).
47
What are the main functions of bone tissue?
• Protection of organs • Structural support • Movement (as levers for muscles) • Hematopoiesis (blood cell production) • Fat storage (yellow marrow) • Mineral storage (mainly calcium and phosphate) • Hormone production (e.g., osteocalcin)
48
What are the two types of osseous (bone) tissue?
Compact bone (cortical bone) and spongy bone (cancellous/trabecular bone).
49
What is the hard, dense outer layer of bone called?
Compact bone (cortical bone).
50
What is the functional unit of compact bone?
The osteon (Haversian system).
51
Does spongy bone contain osteons?
No, only compact bone contains osteons.
52
What are other names for spongy bone?
Cancellous bone and trabecular bone.
53
Where is spongy bone found in long bones?
In the epiphyses (ends) of long bones.
54
What does spongy bone contain in its spaces?
Red bone marrow.
55
Where is compact bone found in long bones?
In the diaphysis (shaft).
56
What is the cavity in the diaphysis of a long bone called, and what does it contain?
The medullary cavity; it contains yellow marrow (fat storage).
57
What are the six types of bones?
Long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid, and suture (Wormian) bones.
58
What is the general structure of bones other than long bones?
Thin plates of spongy bone covered by compact bone; no medullary cavity.
59
What is the functional unit of compact bone?
The osteon (also called the Haversian system).
60
What does each osteon contain in its center?
A Haversian canal.
61
What is found inside the Haversian canal?
Blood vessels and nerve endings.
62
What are the concentric layers that surround the Haversian canal called?
Lamellae.
63
Where are osteocytes found in the osteon?
In lacunae, which are small spaces located between the lamellae.
64
What is the function of canaliculi in compact bone?
Canaliculi are small canals that connect the lacunae and allow communication and nutrient exchange between osteocytes.
65
What are the four main types of bone cells?
Osteogenic cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.
66
What is the function of osteogenic cells?
They are stem cells that divide by mitosis and differentiate into osteoblasts.
67
What is the role of osteoblasts in bone tissue?
Osteoblasts produce and secrete the extracellular matrix of bone.
68
What happens to osteoblasts after they become surrounded by the bone matrix they secrete?
They differentiate into osteocytes.
69
What is the function of osteocytes?
Osteocytes maintain bone tissue and regulate the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
70
What is the function of osteoclasts?
Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that perform bone resorption (break down bone matrix).
71
Where are osteoclasts housed in bone tissue?
In resorption bays, also called Howship’s lacunae.
72
Where are osteogenic cells and osteoblasts primarily located in bone tissue?
In the periosteum and endosteum (the outer and inner bone surfaces).
73
Where are osteocytes found in bone tissue?
In lacunae within the lamellae of osteons (around the Haversian canal).
74
Are osteogenic cells mitotically active?
Yes, osteogenic cells can divide by mitosis.
75
Are osteoblasts mitotically active?
Yes, osteoblasts can divide by mitosis (although their main role is matrix production).
76
Are osteocytes mitotically active?
No, osteocytes are not mitotically active.
77
Q: From which cell lineage do osteoclasts originate?
A: Osteoclasts arise from the fusion of monocyte/macrophage precursor cells of the hematopoietic (blood cell) lineage, not from osteogenic cells or osteoblasts.
78
Why is blood considered a connective tissue?
Because, like other connective tissues, blood serves structural and connective functions by transporting nutrients, waste products, and oxygen throughout the body. It also plays a protective role by carrying immune cells (leukocytes).
79
What are the mature cell types found in blood?
Erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).
80
What is the precursor cell for all blood cells?
Hematopoietic stem cell.
81
Where are hematopoietic stem cells found?
In the bone marrow.
82
What is hematopoiesis?
The process of differentiation and maturation of hematopoietic stem cells into mature blood cells.
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