Connective tissue

Connective tissues serve to connect or bind, support and protect the other tissues of the body. Connective tissue is made up of cells and intercellular substance. Cells are 1. Fibroblast 2. Macrophages 3. Plasma cells 4. Mast cells 5. Pigment cells 6. Reticular cells 7. Fat cells Intercellular substance It is secreted mainly by the fibroblasts. It consists of two components: (i) Amorphous substance: also known as ground substance. It contains water, proteins, electrolytes and mucopolysaccharides (ii) Fibrous element: are made up of 3 type of fibres a) Collagen b) Elastic c) Reticular fibres

I. II.

Ordinary connective tissue Specialized connective tissue

I. Ordinary connective tissue:

a) Loose connective tissue or loose areolar tissue b) Dense connective tissue c) Adipose tissue a) Loose areolar tissue: It is the most widely distributed tissue in the body and permits considerable amount of movements between the parts it binds. It connects the skin to the underlying structures. E.g. Subcutaneous tissue of eyelids and scrotum. b) Dense connective tissue:

i. Dense regular connective tissue:

In this type, collagen bundles are regularly arranged with greatly reduced interspace E.g. Tendon, Aponeurosis

i.

Dense irregular connective tissue:

It is seen in those parts of the body which are subjected to mechanical stress. E.g. Reticular layer of dermis, connective tissue sheaths of muscles, vessels and nerves c) Adipose tissue (fatty tissue): It consists of large, rounded cells and the cytoplasm is loaded with fat (fat cells).The nucleus is pushed towards the periphery E.g. Subcutaneous tissue of the skin seen in buttocks, loin and breast Functions of adipose tissue: acts as a cushion, provides body contour and conserves body heat.

I.

Specialized connective tissue:

It forms the generalized framework of the body. It bears weight without bending and tensile strength E.g. Bones and cartilages

Cartilage
Cartilage is a connective tissue composed of cells called chondrocytes and fibers of collagen and yellow elastic embedded in a firm gel-like matrix. Special features of cartilage: Chondrocytes are seen in lacunae or spaces in the intercellular substance or matrix. Cartilage is covered by perichondrium It has no blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves. It receives nutrition by diffusion from the nearest capillaries. Types of cartilage: There are three types: 1. 2. 3. 1. Hyaline cartilage Elastic cartilage Fibro cartilage Hyaline cartilage: (hyalos= transparent)

It is bluish white and translucent due to the presence of very fine collagen fibers. The cartilage cells are arranged as cell nests - in groups of two or more

E.g. Trachea, cartilages of nose and larynx. 2

2.

Elastic cartilage:

The chondrocytes are larger and scattered and the matrix contains yellow elastic fibres which branch and anastomose E.g. Epiglottis, Pinna of ear.

3.

Fibro cartilage:

It is white and opaque due to abundance of dense collgen fibres arranged in bundles. Few chondrocytes are seen. Perichondrium is absent. E.g. Intervertebral discs, menisci of knee joint