Specialized Connective Tissues Chapter 4 (Marieb)

Cartilage 3 Types: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage All three are composed of chondrocytes They differ based on their fiber composition

Hyaline Cartilage A rubbery type of cartilage Contains more cartilage than elastic but less than fibrocartilage This is the human version of rubber Found on the ends of long bones, the sternal ends of the ribs, the larynx, trachea, bronchi

Hyaline Cartilage /colorpage/cc/cchc.gif

Elastic Cartilage Contains chondrocytes Similar to hyaline but has much more elastin Found in the ear lobe, Eustachian tube, larynx, epiglottis This is the most flexible of the three types of cartilage

Elastic Cartilage /colorpage/cc/ccec3.GIF

Fibrocartilage Contains chondrocytes Has the highest amount of collagen in the ECM Found in areas of the body that need to withstand compressive force Knee (menisci), intervertebral disks, pubic symphysis

Fibrocartilage Transverse Section /colorpage/cc/ccfts.gif

Bone The hardest and most highly specialized of all connective tissues Minerals mix within the ECM gels and cause this tissue to become hard Contains osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts Functions: physical protection, mineral storage, mineral homeostasis, pH balance, hematopoiesis

Compact Bone: Osteons /colorpage/cb/cbgbhs.GIF

Blood Considered a connective tissue because of the mixing of plasma proteins and cells (cells and gels) Contains erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets Functions: gas transport, pH balance, nutrient transport, immunity, hemostasis

Erythrocytes & Neutrophil /colorpage/cbl/cbln.GIF