Connective Tissues

• General Components

– Specialized cells

– Abundant Matrix

• Extracellular fibers

• Extracellular ground substance

• Classification of CT

– CT “Proper”

– Supporting CT

– Fluid CT

• CT Proper

– Cell Types

• Fixed cells

– Fibroblasts

– Fixed macrophages

– Adipocytes

– Mesenchymal cells

– Melanocytes

• Wandering cells

– Free Macrophages

– Mast Cells

– Lymphocytes

– Microphages

– Fiber Types

• Collagen

• Elastin

• Reticular

• Specific Types of CT Proper

–Loose CT

• Areolar

• Adipose

• Reticular

– Dense CT

• Dense regular

• Dense irregular

• Elastic

• Supporting CT

– Bone

– Cartilage

• Cartilage

– Cells: chondrocytes (within lacunae)

– Matrix

• ground substance with chondroitin sulfate

• fibers

* Strong and resilient*

– Perichondrium: fibrous covering of cartilage

• outer fibrous layer

• inner cellular layer: source of new chondrocytes

– Types of Cartilage

• Hyaline

• Fibrocartilage

• Elastic Cartilage