LAB - Connective Tissue

Question 1

cells in connective tissue

Answer 1

• fibroblasts = synthesis and maintenance of ECM
• adipocytes
• defense cells = fixed: macs (histiocytes and mast cells) + wandering ( eos, neuts, basos lymphs)

Question 2

ECM (extracellular material is composed;

Answer 2

• fibers = collagen, elastin

- ground substance

Question 3

ground substance

Answer 3

• glycosaminoglycan
• have protein backbone w long chains of acidic carbs
• stains poorly on H&E
• clear spaces between cells and fibers

Question 4

loose vs dense connective tissue

Answer 4

• loose = fibers orient in different directions

- dense = can form capsules like adrenal gland capsule

Question 5

what does Masson trichrome stain for?

Answer 5

collagen fibers

muscles = red; RBCs = yellow

Question 6

what does aldehyde fuchsin stain?

Answer 6

elastin = purple

Question 7

what does Verhoeff/van Gieson stain?

Answer 7

black for elastin
red for collagen
RBCs, cytoplasm and muscle = yellow

Question 8

lymph node capsule extends into tissue

Answer 8

trabeculae

Question 9

pancreas capsule extenTIONS

Answer 9

SEPTAE = thinner than trabeculae and less prominent

Question 10

all connective tissue, even specialized type cartilage develops from…

Answer 10

mesenchyme

Question 11

functions of cartilage

Answer 11

• bears mechanical stress and weight
• provides surfaces for joints to slide on and absorb shock
• essential to long bone development
• gives support to soft tissue

Question 12

chondroblasts vs chondrocytes

Answer 12

blasts = growth by apposition, grow and begin formation of ground substance and ECM; give rise to chondrocytes

chondrocytes = can divide (interstitial growth); maintain integrity of cartilage matrix

Question 13

what is the matrix of cartilage made up of?

Answer 13

fibers (collagen; OR collagen and elastin)
ground substance = proteoglycans

NO vessels, nerves, or lymphatics

Question 14

dense CT layer that covers cartilage

Answer 14

perichondrium

- essential for growth and maintenance of cartilage

Question 15

three types of cartilage

Answer 15

hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage

Question 16

hyaline cartilage

Answer 16

• small aggregations of chondrocytes in an amorphous matrix composed of ground substance
• reinforced by collagen fibers
• found in nasal septum, larynx, sternal ends of ribs, tracheal rings

Question 17

elastic cartilage

Answer 17

• composed of collagen and small bundles of elastin fibers in cartilage matrix
• external ear, epiglottis, larynx, Eustchian tubes

Question 18

fibrocartilage

Answer 18

• transition b/w hyaline and dense connective tissue

- intervertebral discs, articular cartilages, pubic symphysis, joint capsules, ligaments, tendon

Question 19

two processes by which cartilage grows

Answer 19

• interstitial: forms within cartilage; isolated chondrocytes divide to form a cluster with a max of eight cells; no directed blood supply to cluster
• appositional: at the periphery chondroblasts differentiate into chondrocytes, so the new cartilage is added at the surface

Question 20

hyaline cartilage - chondrocytes embedded in amorphous matrix

Answer 20

looks like eyes! sitting in lacunae