Connective Tissue: What Kevin Bacon taught me about tissues? Another off the wall discussion to complete your outer valence shell

What is connective tissue? Blood Blood cArtilage cArtilage conneCtive tissue conneCtive tissue fibrOus boNe

Functions 1. Connects– ex. fascia, ligaments 2. Supports – ex. skeleton, cartilage 3. Transports – ex. blood 4. Defends – ex. lymph nodes, spleen 5. Insulation – ex. Adipose Just like Kevin Bacon in all his movies!!!!

Characteristics 1.few cells  mostly extracellular material or matrix 2.range of vascularity 3.fibers: 1.collagenous (tough and high tensile strength; white) 2.reticular (delicate, branching network) 3.elastic (long, thin, stretchable; yellow) 4.origin is mesodermal

Types of Connective Tissue Fibrous – extracellular fibers 1. Loose, ordinary (AKA areolar) – common; wraps and cushions organs ex. fascia 2. Adipose - mostly fat cells; storage & insulation ex. mammary, under skin, abdominal regions

Types of Connective Tissue Fibrous – extracellular fibers 3.Reticular - branching network; defense – filters blood and lymph ex. spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow 4.Dense, White Fibrous - few fibroblasts; tightly packed; regular (parallel) vs. irregular (stretchable); anchors muscle to bone ex. tendons

Types of Connective Tissue Bone- osseous tissue Ground or compact bone- osteon or Haversian system (appear like a tree trunk of rings) Spongy or cancellous bone- porous; few cells with blood

Types of Connective Tissue Cartilage – avascular; heals slowly; tough but flexible 1. Hyaline - “glass”; translucent ex. covers ends of bones 2. Fibrocartilage – strongest, collagen fibers ex. intervertebral disks, knee 3. Elastic – flexible, elastic fibers in matrix ex. ear, voice box, nose

Types of Connective tissue Blood lacks fibers consists of plasma (55% water & 45% erythrocytes, leukocytes, & thrombocytes) transports gases, nutrients, waste maintains temp. and pH; defense