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Connective Tissue

The Matrix!

Features of Connective Tissue


Vascular and avascular forms. Matrix Stem cell = fibroblasts Cellularity = spacious
Mitotic activity: Moderate. ~200 divisions per life time.

The Matrix Fibers


Collagen = strong protein Elastin = can stretch 150x its length without breaking. Reticular fibers
Help form frameworks of lymphatic organs. Type III collagen.

Ground Substance of the Matrix


Amorphous substances
Interstitial fluid Glycosaminoglycans GAGs Proteoglycans: Proteins + GAGs.

Glycoproteins
Hydroxyapatite (CaPO4)

Glycosaminoglycans GAGs
Hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfates, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate and others. Form chains of polysaccharides. Hydrophilic.
Hold water.

Proteoglycan

Protein Core with a bottle-brush appearance attaching to collagen fibers.

GAGs attached like bristles on a bottle brush.

Proteogylcan interaction with Collagen II

Glycoproteins
Used to direct cellular attachment and migration.
Fibronectin
Important for cell placement in embryo development and cellar migration and adhesion and differentiation. Also plays a role in wound healing

Cells of Connective Tissue

Fibroblast cells
Stem cells of connective tissue.
Originates from embryonic mesenchyme

Produce elastin and collagen fibers.

Macrophages
Phagocytes derived from monocytes

Mast cells
Promote inflammation Originates in bone marrow from unknown stem cell

Pericytes
Found around blood vessels Contractile properties

May help direct blood flow.


May also act as mesenchymal cells for replacing tissues including, perhaps, smooth muscle.

Adipocytes
White Adipocyte

Fat cells derived from fibroblasts

Brown Adiopocyte
Babies and hibernating animals

Specialized Connective Tissue Cells


Chondroblasts vs. Chondrocytes
Cartilage

Chondrocyte

Osteoblasts vs. Osteocytes


Bone

Osteocyte

Types of Connective Tissue


Connective Tissue Proper
Cartilage Bone

Connective Tissue Proper


Dense
Regular Irregular

Areolar (ar-REE-uh-lar) Reticular Elastic Adipose

Dense regular connective tissue


Tendons and ligaments Avascular

Dense irregular connective tissue

Dermis of skin Periosteum of bone Organ capsules

Elastic connective tissue


Elastic arteries, lungs.
Elastic ligaments.

Adipose tissue
Fat
Adipocytes derived from fibroblasts.

Reticular Tissue

Tissue of the lymphoid organs Also found in liver and skin

Areolar connective tissue (loose)


Fascia. Tissue found between muscles and between epithelium and other tissues.
Fibers: Elastin = thin Collagen = broad

Cartilage
Avascular
Matrix largely proteoglycans and GAGs Chondrocytes live in lacunae.

Territorial matrix around young chondrocytes.

Hyaline cartilage
Type II Collagen Ends of bones, costal cartilages, nose. Hyaline means glassy.

Elastic cartilage Type II collagen + elastin Ear, epiglottis Contain fat droplets

Fibrocartilage Type I collagen Symphyses Broken bone Fibrous matrix Chondrocyte arrangement is linear

Bone
Cancellous bone Trabeculae (interior of bone)
Compact bone Exterior of bone

Compact Bone Histology


Osteons Bony concentric rings of collagen and CaPO4 crystals.
Lamella.
Individual rings of osteons

Central canal or Haversian canal is in the center of the osteon.


Contains blood vessels and nerves

Osteocytes
Osteocytes = spidery looking black regions.
Osteocytes are missing in most prepared slides, but their lacunae reveal their former location. Canaliculi connect osteocytes with each other.

Canaliculi
When osteoblasts are laying down the bony matrix, cytoplasmic extensions connect the osteoblasts.
When the bony matrix is completed, the osteocytes are essentially trapped in cement.

Canaliculi provide a life line for waste and nutrient exchange.

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