This document discusses the different types of connective tissue. It describes loose connective tissue as consisting of cells embedded in a loose matrix with a large amount of ground substance. Loose connective tissue is found throughout the body binding structures. Dense connective tissue contains fewer cells and more collagen fibers, making it less flexible but more resistant to stress. Dense connective tissue can be irregular or regular, depending on the organization of collagen fibers. Regular dense connective tissue is highly organized and found in structures like tendons and ligaments. The document provides examples of where different types of connective tissue can be found.

1. Lect 6.

2. Types of Connective Tissue

3. Loose CT
 consists of a number of cell types embedded in a
matrix
 a large amount of ground substance in which
fibers are arranged in a loose irregular manner.
 found in all parts of the body
 responsible for binding various structures
together
 muscle fibers to muscle fibers
 skin to underlying tissues.
 Various membranes and mesenteries

4. Mesentery – Loose / areolar CT
Mesenteries in the small intestine of cat.

5. Loose CT
 comprises all the main components of CT proper.comprises all the main components of CT proper.
 With no predominant cellWith no predominant cell
 fibroblasts and macrophages - most numerousfibroblasts and macrophages - most numerous
cells, but all the other types of CTcells are alsocells, but all the other types of CTcells are also
presentpresent
 With moderate amount of collagen, elastic, andWith moderate amount of collagen, elastic, and
reticular fibersreticular fibers
 has a delicate consistencyhas a delicate consistency
 it is flexible,it is flexible,
 well vascularizedwell vascularized
 not very resistant to stress.not very resistant to stress.

6. Loose CT
 fills spaces between
groups of muscle
cells
 supports epithelial
tissue
 forms a layer that
sheathes the
lymphatic and blood
vessels
Found in:
 papillary layer of the
dermis
 Hypodermis
 serosal linings of
peritoneal and pleural
cavities, and in glands
 mucous membranes (wet
membranes that line
the hollow organs)
supporting the
epithelial cells.

7. Papillary layer of the dermis – Loose CT

8. Dense connective tissue
 adapted to offer resistance and
protection
 fewer cells and a clear predominance of
collagen fibers
 Dense CT is less flexible
 far more resistant to stress than is
loose CT.

9. Dense irregular CT
 when the collagen fibers are arranged in
bundles without a definite orientation.
 collagen fibers form a 3-dimensional
network
 provide resistance to stress from all
directions.
 dermis.

10. Reticular dermis: Dense irreg.
CT
Blue arrow indicates the reticular dermis

11. Dense regular CT
 The collagen bundles are arranged
according to a definite pattern
 aligned with the linear orientation of
fibroblasts in response to prolonged
stresses exerted in the same direction;
 offer great resistance to traction forces.
 tendons (attach muscle to bone)
 most ligaments (attach bone to bone)
 aponeuroses (sheetlike tendons that attach
muscle to muscle or muscle to bone.

12. Tendons – Dense regular CT
 elongated cylindrical
structures attach striated
muscle to bone
 rich in collagen fibers
 white and inextensible
 have parallel, closely packed
bundles of collagen
separated by a small
quantity of intercellular
ground substance.
 fibrocytes contain elongated
nuclei parallel to the fibers
and sparse cytoplasmic folds
that envelop portions of the
collagen bundles.

13. Asignment:
Determine the Connective Tissues types found in the
following structures.
 Fats in newborn
 Fats in the belly of
adults
 Tunica intima of large
artery
 Dermis of the skin
 Ear auricle
 Wharton’s jelly
(umbilicus)
 Mesentery
 Splenic capsule
 Stem cell tissue
 Tendons
 Glisson’s capsule of the
liver
 Hypodermis of the skin
 Precursor cells in
primitive supporting
tissue
 Ligaments
 Muscle fascia