KEEPING THE BODY TOGETHER

 Interconnection of tissues  Support and motion  Storage  Cushioning and insulation  Enclosing and separating  Transport  protection

 Cells produce and maintain a matrix  The cells are not usually touching – they sit within the matrix they produce  The matrix allows connective tissue to perform its job

 The acellular substance of a tissue  The matrix is made by the cells of that tissue  The matrix gives the tissue its qualities This is the cell

 Large spaces between fibers filled with fluid or cells  Examples: Areolar, adipose, and reticular

 Little extracellular matrix  Adipocytes filled with lipids  Function: storage, thermal insulation, cushioning  Found: below skin, yellow bone marrow, in spaces and crevices

 Has a fine network of fibers  Contains fibroblasts, macrophages, and lymphocytes  Function: support and nourishment  Found: Around and between muscles, vessels, nerves, and organs

 Fine network of reticular fibers irregularly arranged  Spaces contain macrophages and blood cells  Function: provides structure for lymphatic tissue and red bone marrow

 Densely packed fibers with little space in between  Fibers are mostly collagen  Fibers run in one direction

 Functions: withstand tremendous pulling forces in the direction of the fibers, stretch resistance  Found: in tendons and ligaments

 Fibers run in several directions  Function: provide strength in many directions, but not as strong in a single direction as DRCT  Found: organ capsules, the dermis of the skin

 Matrix made of elastic and collagen fibers  Function: able to stretch and recoil  Found in: walls of arteries, elastic ligaments in the spine

 Collagen fibers in a firm, flexible matrix  Chondrocytes (the cartilage cells) sit in lacunae  Function: growth of long bones, support and flexibility in trachea, bronchi, ribs, and nose  Makes up the embryonic skeleton  Covers articulating surfaces

 Found: ends of long bones, articular surfaces, ribs, nose, respiratory system, and the embryonic skeleton

 Numerous collagen fibers in thick bundles  Function: withstand pressure, connects structures subjected to great pressure  Found: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, knee, temporomandibular joint

 Similar to hyaline cartilage but matrix also has elastic fibers  Function: rigidity with flexibility, can stretch and return to original shape  Found: external ear structure, epiglottis, auditory tubes

 Hard connective tissue made by cells(osteocytes) that sit in a mineralized matrix  Function: provide great strength and support, protection, movement  Found: the skeleton

 Liquid connective tissue  Blood cells are in a fluid matrix called plasma.  Function: transport, protection, temperature regulation