Connective tissue includes extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells. It functions to bind structures, provide support and protection, serve as a framework, fill spaces, store fat, and produce red blood cells. The major types of connective tissue are loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, cartilage, bone, and blood.

1. BY: Andrew Choe, Aviance Mckenzie, Jenna Goins, Centeria
Lee

2. Function
 Binds structures
 Provides support and protection
 Serves as framework
 Fills spaces
 Stores fat
 Produces red blood cells
 Protects against infections

3. Extracellular Matrix
 Nickname: ECM
 It has molecules that modify
tissues to suit different organs.
 Composed of protein fibers, a
ground substance consisting of
non-fibrous proteins and other
molecules, and fluid.
 Can be fluid, semi fluid, or solid.
 Bone and cartilage are solid

4. Major cell types
 Fibroblasts • Macrophages (histiocytes)
 Star shaped •Originate as white
blood cells
 Produces fibers by •Specialized to carry on
secreting proteins into the phagocytosis
ECM. •Can move as a
 Most common type. scavenger and
defensive cells that
clear foreign particles
from tissue

5. Major Cell Types
 Mast Cells
 Large and widely
distributed in
connective tissue
 Usually near blood
vessels
 Release heparin and
histamine

6. Connective Tissue Fibers
 Collagenous (white fiber)
 Thick thread of protein collagen
 Long and parallel bundles
 Hold ligaments and tendons together
 Most abundant type of dense connective tissue
 Elastic (yellow fibers)
 Protein named elastin
 Thin fiber branches with complex networks
 Common in body parts that stretch
 Reticular
 Thin highly branched
 Delicate supporting networks and many tissues

7. Categories of Connective Tissue
 Connective Tissue
Proper
 Loose connective
tissue
 Dense connective
tissue
 Specialized
Connective Tissue
 Cartilage
 Bone
 Blood

8. Loose Connective Tissue
 Areolar
 Fibroblasts
 Binds skin to sub-
organs
 Fills spaces between
muscles
 Adipose (fat)
 Develop when cells
store fat as droplets
and enlarge
 Reticular
 Collagenous Fibers
 Provide framework for
some organs

9. Dense Connective Tissue
 Composed of both collagenous and
elastic fibers
 Has few cells (mostly fibroblasts)
 Strong (withstand pulling forces) (parts
of tendons and ligaments)
 Poor blood supply causes slow tissue
repair

10. Cartilage
 Provides support, framework, and
protects underlying tissue
 Cartilage ECM is abundant of
collagenous fibers
 Chondrocytes - cartilage cells
Occupy laucnae
 Enclosed in perichondrium

11. Types of Cartilage
 Hyaline cartilage
 Most common
 Fine collagenous fibers
 Found on bones and many joints
 Important in development of bones
 Elastic cartilage
 Dense network
 Flexible
 Provides framework for ears and larynx
 Fibrocartilage
 Tough
 Many collagenous fibers
 Shock absorber

12. Assessment

13. Bone
 Supports, protects, provides framework
 Used in bones of the skeleton
 Hard because of mineral salts
 Contains red marrow
 Stores and releases inorganic chemicals
 Bone matrix composed of lamellae
Forms central canals
 Osteocytes
Forms Ostion

14. Blood
 Transports a variety of materials
 Helps maintain internal environment
conditions
 Composed of formed elements an blood
plasma
Red and white blood cells
Platelets
 Most form in red marrow