1. Types of Connective Tissue

2. 1) Areolar (loose) Connective Tissue
Fxn: wraps & cushions organs, holds tissue fluids, macrophages engulfs bacteria
Cells: mainly fibroblasts (far apart), macrophages, mast cells and some WBC’s
Matrix: gel-like w/ collagenous & elastic fibers (some reticular fibers)
Location: beneath skin, b/w muscles, beneath epithelial tissues

4. 2) Adipose Tissue Fxn: protection, insulation, storage
Cells: enlarged; fat droplets push nucleus to side
Matrix: as in aerolar, but sparse
Location: beneath skin, around kidneys, behind eyeball, surface of heart, breasts
“signet ring cells”

6. 3) Reticular Connective Tissue
Fxn: fibers form soft internal skeleton that supports other cell types
Cells: reticular cells (fibroblasts), phagocytic (mainly macrophages), lymphocytes
Matrix: reticular fibers in loose ground substances
Location: bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes
“net-like”

8. 4) Dense Regular Connective Tissue
Fxn: binds organs together (very strong)
Cells: relatively few (all fibroblasts)
Matrix: many parallel collagenous fibers & fine network of elastic
Location: tendons – (muscle to bone), ligaments – (bone to bone), sclera (white of eye)
** poor blood supply, therefore heals slowly**
Aka: Fibrous CT

10. 5) Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
Fxn: able to withstand tension exerted in many directions; provides structural strength
Cells: fibroblast
Matrix: irregularly arranged collagenous fibers, some elastic
Location: dermis of skin, digestive tract, fibrous joint capsules

12. 6) Cartilage Fxn: rigid support, framework
Cells: chondrocytes in small chambers (lacunae)
Matrix: collagenous fibers embedded in gel-like substance (sometimes elastic)

13. 6) Cartilage cont.
Types
Hyaline: fine collagen fibers; found on ends of bones, end of nose, support rings of respiratory passages (trachea)
Elastic: numerous elastic fibers; found in external ear & larynx (vocal cords) (flexible)
Fibrocartilage: many collagenous (tough); found b/w bones as shock absorber; b/w vertebrae & in knee

14. 7) Bone Fxn: support, protection, framework
Cells: osteocytes in lacunae; arranged in rings around canals
Matrix: collagen w/ mineral salts (gives harding)
Other: blood vessels found in canals, cellular processes connect to canals

16. 8) Blood - Fluid Connective Tissue
Fxn: transport, homeostasis
Cells: red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), platelets (thrombocytes)
Matrix: Plasma (contains blood cells & fragments of cells)
Location: Blood vessels (arteries, veins, & capillaries)