1. Connective Tissue Features Cells far apart with matrix between Matrix
Protein fibers
Ground substance
Not usually on body surface
Can be hard to liquid
Bone and blood are connective

2. Vascular – except cartilage and tendons
High nerve supply- except cartilage

3. Connective Tissue Cells
Fibroblasts
Secrete the fibers and matrix of tissue
Mast Cells
Along blood vessels
Secrete histamine
Macrophages
Do phagocytosis, are white blood cells

4. Plasma cells – another white blood cell
Adipocytes
Fat storage cells

5. Extra cellular Matrix Ground Substance
Contains different substances depending on tissue type
Can be watery or cement like
Hyaluronic acid is viscous and slippery for joints

6. Fibers Collagen Fibers Largest Strong Flexible Collagen protein
Bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments

7. Elastic fibers Reticular fibers Smaller than collagen
Promotes ability to stretch
Marfan’s
Reticular fibers
Smallest
Give support and strength
Stroma (framework) of some organs

8. Connective tissue types
Major types
Embryonic
mesenchyme
Loose connective
Areolar
Adipose
Reticular

9. Dense Connective
Dense regular
Dense irregular
Elastic connective
Cartilage
Hyaline
Fibrocartilage
Elastic cartilage

10. Mesenchyme

11. Areolar

12. Adipose

13. Reticular

14. Elastic connective

15. Dense irregular

16. Dense regular

17. Fibrocartilage

18. Hyaline cartilage

19. Elastic cartilage

34. Mesenchyme