Connective Tissue

The essential Characteristic that distinguishes Connective tissue from the other 3 types of tissue is The non-living extra Cellular matrix. The specialized cells of the various Connective tissues are –Blasts, -Cytes, and -Clasts. The structure of the matrix gives Connective tissue types most of their Functional characteristics, Such as the Ability of bones and cartilage to bear weight, Of tendons and ligaments to withstand Tension, and the Dermis to withstand abrasions.

The Matrix is composed of: 1)Protein Fibers (Collagen, reticular, And Elastin). 2)Ground Substance – the shapeless Background against which the fibers Are seen. Hyaluronic acid is a long, unbranched, Polysaccharide chain composed of Repeating disaccharide units. It gives a very slippery quality to the Fluids that contain it. Proteoglycans are formed from proteins And polysaccharides – it is a molecule That can trap large quanities of water, Which gives them the capacity to return To their original shape when compressed.

Special Connective Tissue Adipose, reticular and hemopoietic Adipose consists of adipocytes and comes In yellow and brown forms. Reticular tissue forms the framework of Lymphatic tissue, bone marrow, and the Liver. Hemopoietic is blood forming tissue – it is Mostly found in the marrow – Red marrow.

Fig. 4.6

Loose (Fibrous) Connective Tissue Areolar The protein fibers form a lacy network with numerous Fluid filled spaces. Loose packing material in organs and attachment to the Skin. It contains collagen and elastin fibers and a variety of Cells, but mostly fibroblasts.

Fig. 4.5

Dense (Fibrous) Connective Tissue Regular Protein fibers packed and fill almost all of the extra Cellular space. The fibers are oriented predominately in one direction. (Tendon or Ligaments) Irregular Protein fibers packed and fill almost all of the extra Cellular space. The fibers are oriented in a random meshwork. (Dermis of the skin)

Fig. 4.7