CONNECTIVE TISSUES

Structure that is usually characterized by

large amounts of extracellular materials that
separate the cells from one another

Three types of protein fibers:

RETICULAR FIBERS
COLLAGEN FIBER

ELASTIC FIBERS

Connective tissue cells are

named according to their
functions:
A. BLAST (GERM) CELLS PRODUCE THE

MATRIX
B. CYTE (CELL) CELLS MAINTAIN IT
C. CLAST (BREAK) CELLS BREAK IT DOWN
FOR REMODELLING

EXAMPLES:

FIBROBLASTS

FUNCTIONS OF CONNECTIVE
TISSUES:
1. ENCLOSING AND

SEPARATING sheets of
connective tissues form
capsules around organs
such as liver and
kidneys; connective
tissues separate
muscles, arteries, veins
and nerves from one
another
2. CONNECTING
TISSUES TO ONE
ANOTHER tendons

Attaching muscles to bones,

ligaments that hold bones together

3. SUPPORTING AND MOVING --

bones of the skeletal system,

cartilage support structures such as
the nose, ears and surfaces of
joints.

 4. STORING.

Adipose tissues
(fat) stores high
energy molecules;
bones stores
minerals such as
calcium and
phosphate
5. CUSHIONING
AND INSULATING.
Adipose tissue
cushions and
protects the tissues
it surrounds and
provides insulation
beneath the skin

6. TRANSPORTING. Blood transports

substances through out the body.

7. PROTECTING. Cells of the immune

system and blood provide protection

against toxins and tissue injury, as
well as from microorganisms. Bones
protect underlying structures from
injury.

CLASSIFICATION OF CONNECTIVE
TISSUES:
1. LOOSE (AREOLAR)
CONNECTIVE TISSUE

ELASTIC FIBERS
COLLAGEN
NUCLEUS

LOCATION: SUBSTANCE ON WHICH

EPITHELIAL BASEMENT MEMBRANE RESTS,
PACKING BETWEEN GLANDS, MUSCLES,
NERVES. ATTACHES SKIN TO UNDERLYING
TISSUES.

FUNCTION:
LOOSE

PACKING,
SUPPORT AND
NOURISHMEN
T FOR THE
STRUCTURE
WITH WHICH
IT IS
ASSOCIATED

2. ADIPOSE TISSUE

FAT CELLS
NUCLEU
S

LOCATION: SUBCUTANEOUS AREAS,

MESENTERIES, RENAL PELVES, AROUND KIDNEYS,
ATTACHED IN SURFACE OF COLON, MAMMARY
GLANDS

FUNCTION:
PACKING MATERIAL
THERMAL

INSULATOR
ENERGY STORAGE
PROTECTION OF
ORGANS AGAINST
INJURY FROM
BEING BUMPED

3. DENSE CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
A. DENSE COLLAGENOUS
C.T.

B. DENSE ELASTIC
C.T.
NUCLEUS OF
FIBROBLAST
COLLAGEN
FIBERS

LOCATION: TENDONS AND

LIGAMENTS; DERMIS OF THE
SKIN, ORGAN CAPSULES, OUTER
LAYER OF BLOOD VESSELS

LOCATION: ELASTIC
LIGAMENTS BETWEEN
THE VERTEBRAE,
VOCAL CORDS,
BLOOD VESSEL WALL

4. CARTILAGE
A. HYALINE CARTILAGE

CHONDROCYTES
NUCLEUS
MATRIX
LOCATION: GROWING
LONG BONES, CARTILAGE
RINGS OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM,
COSTAL CARTILAGE OF
RIBS, EMBRYONIC

FUNCTION:
ALLOWS GROWTH

OF BONES
PROVIDES RIGIDITY
WITH SOME
FLEXIBILITY IN THE
TRACHEA,
BRONCHI, RIBS
AND NOSE
FORMS THE
EMBRYONIC
SKELETON

B. FIBROCARTILAGE

CHONDROCYTE IN LACUNA
NUCLEUS
COLLAGEN FIBERS

LOCATION:
INTERVERTEBRAL DISKS,
SYMPHYSIS PUBIS,
BETWEEN KNEES, JAW
JOINTS

FUNCTION:
SOMEWHAT

FLEXIBLE AND
CAPABLE OF
WITHSTANDING
CONSIDERABLE
PRESSURE
CONNECTS
STRUCTURES
SUBJECTED TO
GREAT PRESSURE

LOCATION: EXTERNAL EARS,

EPIGLOTTIS AND AUDITORY TUBES

FUNCTION
PROVIDES RIGIDITY

WITH MORE
FLEXIBLITY THAN
HYALINE
CARTILAGE,
BECAUSE ELASTIC
FIBERS RETURN TO
THEIR ORIGINAL
SHAPE AFTER
BEING STRETCHED

5. BONE TISSUE
LACUNA

CENTRAL CANAL
MATRIX ORGANIZED INTO
LAMELLAE

LOCATION: ALL BONES OF THE BODY

FUNCTION:
PROVIDES GREAT

STRENGTH AND
SUPPORT
PROTECTS
INTERNAL ORGANS
SUCH AS THE BRAIN.
PROVIDES
ATTACHMENT SITES
FOR MUSCLES &
LIGAMENTS
ALLOW MOVEMENT

6. BLOOD
WHITE BLOOD
CELLS

RED BLOOD
CELLS
PLASMA

FUNCTION
TRANSPORTS

OXYGEN
CO2, HORMONES,
NUTRIENTS, WASTE
PRODUCTS, ETC.
PROTECTS THE
BODY FROM
INFECTIONS
INVOLVED IN
TEMPERATURE
REGULATION