This document discusses connective tissues (CT), including their definition, characteristics, components, cells, fibers, ground substance, classification, and examples. It aims to describe CT characteristics and components, classify different CT types, and correlate CT type with function. Key points include:
- CT connect and bind other tissues, with a predominantly extracellular matrix containing widely spaced cells, few blood vessels, and classification based on matrix, cells, and fibers.
- Components include fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, pigment cells, collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers suspended in a ground substance of proteoglycans.
- CT are classified based on cell and fiber types as well as ground
9. Cell Fibroblast Adipocyte Macrophage
Features Secrete matrix, numerous Lipocytes / fat cells Histiocytes, nomadic
Shape Spindle / fusiform with irregular
surface
Oval, round or polygonal Irregular with filopodia
Size Avg 50 um 15-20 um
Nucleus Large, central , open faced At one side Small indented, kidney
shaped
Cytoplasm Markedly basophilic (rER) Peripheral ring of
cytoplasm, fat globules,
signet ring appearance
Cytogranuales &
vacuoles, stains deeply
Function Secrete EC matrix Formation & storage of
fat
Phagocytic
Site Abundant during healing in all CT Many together forms
giant cells
Special stain Frozen section, Sudan
III-> red, Osmic acid ->
black, Sudan black ->
black
10. Cell Mast cell Plasma cell Pigment cell
Features Formed by B lymphocytes Chromatophores
Shape Round or oval Round or oval irregular
Size 12 um Upto 15 um
Nucleus Central, small Spherical & eccentric;
cartwheel appearance, clock
face
Cytoplasm Cyto-granuales,
basophilic
Basophilic, rich in rER
Function Secrete histamine,
heparin
Store Ab in cyto-granuales;
russel’s bodies
Contain pigment
- melanin
Site Inflammation, allergy,
hypersensitivity
skin
Special stain For granules: toluidine
blue, Methylene blue,
alcian blue
13. Types of collagen
• I – fibrous supporting tissue, dermis, tendon,
ligament, bone
• II – Hyaline cartilage, fine fibrils
• III – reticular
• IV- Mesh like, basement membrane
• VII – anchoring fibrils of BM
17. Collagen Elastic Reticular
Color Pearly white Yellow -
No Largest Next > In emb CT
Stain &
appearance
Dull pink with eosin Bright, highly
refractive
Not stained by H & E
Protein Collagen Elastin Reticulin
thickness 1-12 um 0.1-0.2 um thinnest
Features Wavy, do not branch, run
in bundles
< wavy, branch, run
singly
Straight, branch &
anastomose-reticulum
Special stain Van gieso: red; AgNO3:
brown; Masson’s
trichome: blue
Orcein: Black AgNO3: Black
Sites To provide strength;
tendon, ligament etc.
To provide
elasticity; lig nuche,
vocal cords, lungs,
aorta
To provide support;
spleen, liver, lymph
nodes, kidney, BM