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Chapter 4: Connective tissues

Terms in this set (50)

connective tissues
most common type of tissues
matrix
surrounds the cell
specialized cells, protein fibers, a fluid known as ground substance
what are the 3 basic components of connective tissues?
support and protection, transportation of materials, storage of energy reserves, and defense of the body
4 functions of connective tissues
connective tissue proper
consist of many types of cells and fibers withing a matrix containing syrupy ground substance
connective tissue proper
examples are the tissue that underlies the skin, fatty tissues and tendons and ligaments
fluid connective tissues
have a distinctive population of cells suspended in a matrix of watery ground substnace containing dissolved proteins
fluid connective tissues
two examples are blood and lymph
supporting connective tissues
have a less diverse cell population than connective tissue proper, and a matrix of dense ground substance and closely packed fibers
supporting connective tissues
two examples are cartilage and bone
fibroblasts, macrophages, fat cells, and mast cells
name the 4 major cell types of connective tissue proper.
fibroblasts
most abundant cells in connective tissues proper; responsible for producing and maintaining the connective tissue fivers and ground substance
macrophages
scattered throughout the matrix; cells engulf damages cells or pathogens that enter the tissue, release chemicals that mobilize the immune system; drawn to infected area
fat cells
aka adipose
mast cells
small, mobile connective tissue cells often found near blood vessels; cytoplasm of cell releases chemicals to begin the body's defense after injury or infection
antibodies
proteins that destroy invading microorganisms or foreign substances
collagen fibers
long, straight, and unbranched; strong, flexible fibers, most common fibers in connective tissue proper
elastic fibers
contains the protein elastin, they are branched and wavy and after stretching will return to their original length
reticular fibers
the least common of the three connective tissues, are thinner than collagen fibers and commonly form a branching interwoven framework in various organs
reticulum
a network
loose connective/areolar tissue
least specialized connective tissue in the adult body. separates the skin from underlying muscles, provides padding and a considerable amount of independent movement
adipose tissue/fat
loose connective tissue containing large numbers of fat cells; provides shock absorption, insulation, energy storage
adipose tissue
common is the buttocks and breast, behind the eye sockets, surrounds the kidneys, and dominated extensive areas of loose connective tissue in the pericardial and peritoneal cavities
dense connective/fibrous tissue
consists of mostly collagen fibers
dense regular connective tissue
collagen fibers are parallel to each other, packed tightly, and aligned with the forces apple to the tissue ex. tendons and ligaments
tendons
cords of dense regular connective tissue that attach skeletal muscles to bones; their collagen fibers run along the length of the tendon and transfer the pull of the contracting muscle to bone
ligaments
connect one bone to another; can tolerate a modest amount of stretching
dense irregular connective tissue
contains an interwoven meshwork of collagen fibers; provides support to areas subjected to stresses from many directions and is what gives skin its strength
blood and lymph
are connective tissues that contain distinctive collections of cells in a fluid matrix; under normal conditions, the proteins dissolved in this watery matrix do not form large insoluble fibers
plasma
in blood the watery matrix is called....
red blood cell
accounts for almost half the volume of blood; transfer oxygen in the blood
white blood cells
important components of the immune system
platelets
cell fragments that function in blood clotting
interstitial fluid
surrounds the body's cells
cartilage
firm gel containing embedded fibers; heals poorly
chondrocytes
only cells found withing the matrix, live in small pockets known lacunae; must obtain nutrients and eliminate waste products by diffusion through the matrix
perichondrium
structures of cartilage are covered and set apart from surrounding tissues
hyaline cartilage
most common type of cartilage; contains closely packed collagen fibers making it tough but somewhat flexible; connects ribs to the sternum, supports conducting passageways of the respiratory tract and covers opposing bone surfaces withing joints
elastic cartilage
contains numerous elastic fibers that make it extremely resilient and flexible;forms the external flap or of the outer ear, the epiglottis, and an airway to the middle ear
fibrocartilage
durable and tough; lie between the vertebrae of the spinal column, between the pubic bones of the pelvis, and around or within a few joints and tendons; resist compression, absorb shocks and prevent damaging bone to bone contact
bone/osseous tissue
small amount of ground substance, remodeled throughout life, complete repairs can be made
osteocytes
bone cells; obtain nutrients through cytoplasmic extensions that reach blood vessels and other osteocytes
lacunae
surround blood vessels that branch through the bony matrix
canaliculi
branching network within the bony matrix
periosteum
surrounds each bone; made up of fibrous and cellular layers
hyaline cartilage
name the tissue that is found at the end of long bones
fibrocartilage
name the tissue that is found between the vertebrae
dense connective tissue
this tissue is also known as white fibrous and makes up the tendons and ligaments
collagen
name the connective tissue fiber that is strong but not flexibe
hyaline cartilage
name the cartilage that forms the embryonic skeleton
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