Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What three tissues are known as 'loose connective tissues'?

Reticular, Elastic, Dense

Cartilage, Bone, Adipose

Adipose, Fibrous, Areolar

Areolar, Adipose, Reticular (correct)

What three tissues are known as 'dense connective tissues'?

Adipose, Areolar, Reticular

Loose, Adipose, Areolar

Fibrous, Cartilage, Bone

Dense Regular, Dense Irregular, Elastic (correct)

What are some of the functions of areolar connective tissue?

It wraps and cushions other organs, plays an important role in inflammation, holds and conveys tissue fluid, and its macrophages phagocytize bacteria.

Where are a few places in the body that areolar connective tissue can be found?

It is widely distributed under epithelia of body, forms lamina propria of mucous membranes, packages organs, and surrounds capillaries. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most obvious structural feature of areolar connective tissue?

The loose arrangement of its fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What connective tissue provides a reservoir of water and salts for surrounding body tissue?

Areolar connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

When a body region is inflamed, what does areolar tissue do?

It soaks up excess fluids, leading to swelling known as edema. Signup and view all the answers

What connective tissue provides reserve food fuel, insulates against heat loss, and supports and protects organs?

Adipose connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Where is adipose tissue normally located?

Under the skin, around kidneys and eyeballs, and in breasts. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the nucleus in adipose tissue normally found?

It is pushed to the side by a large fat droplet. Signup and view all the answers

What accounts for about 90% of adipose connective tissue's mass?

Adipocytes, also known as fat cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is adipose connective tissue's structure?

Its matrix is like areolar but very sparse, it has closely packed adipocytes, and the nucleus is pushed to the side. Signup and view all the answers

Where in the body is reticular connective tissue normally found?

In lymphoid organs like lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of fibers are found in the matrix of reticular connective tissue?

Reticular fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of reticular connective tissue?

A network of reticular fibers in a loose ground substance with reticular cells lying on the network. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of reticular connective tissue?

The fibers form a soft internal skeleton that supports other cell types including white blood cells, mast cells, and macrophages. Signup and view all the answers

Which connective tissue contains closely packed bundles of collagen fibers running in the same direction?

Dense regular connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Since dense connective tissue has enormous tensile strength, what does it form?

It forms tendons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dense regular connective tissue?

It attaches muscles to bones or to muscles, attaches bones to bones, and withstands great tensile strength. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of dense regular connective tissue?

Primarily parallel collagen fibers, a few elastin fibers, and the major cell type is fibroblast. Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant element of dense regular connective tissue?

Fibers are the predominant element. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between dense regular connective tissue and dense irregular connective tissue?

The bundles of collagen fibers in dense irregular connective tissue are much thicker and they are arranged irregularly. Signup and view all the answers

Where can dense irregular connective tissue be found?

In the skin in the dermis layer, fibrous joint capsules, and the fibrous coverings that surround some organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dense irregular connective tissue?

It is able to withstand tension exerted in many directions, providing structural strength. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of dense irregular connective tissue?

Primarily irregularly arranged collagen fibers, some elastic fibers, major cell type is the fibroblast. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of dense connective tissue can stand tension when it is exerted from many different directions?

Dense irregular connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What cartilage is the most abundant cartilage type in the body?

Hyaline cartilage. Signup and view all the answers

Where can hyaline cartilage be found in the body?

It forms most of the embryonic skeleton, covers the ends of long bones in joint cavities, and forms cartilages of the nose, trachea, and larynx. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of hyaline cartilage?

It supports and reinforces, has resilient cushioning properties, and resists compressive stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of hyaline cartilage?

It is amorphous but has a firm matrix, collagen fibers form an imperceptible network, and chondrocytes lie in lacunae. Signup and view all the answers

How does the matrix in hyaline cartilage appear?

Amorphous and glassy blue-white when viewed with the unaided eye. Signup and view all the answers

What cartilage is a perfect structural intermediate between hyaline cartilage and dense regular connective tissue?

Fibrocartilage. Signup and view all the answers

Where is fibrocartilage normally located in the body?

In intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, and discs of knee joint. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of fibrocartilage?

It has tensile strength with the ability to absorb compressive shock. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of fibrocartilage?

Its matrix is similar to but less firm than hyaline cartilage, with thick collagen fibers predominating. Signup and view all the answers

Why is fibrocartilage found where strong support and the ability to withstand heavy pressure are required?

Because it is compressible and resists tension well. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of elastic cartilage?

It is similar to hyaline cartilage but has more elastic fibers in the matrix. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of elastic cartilage?

It maintains the shape of a structure while allowing great flexibility. Signup and view all the answers

Where is elastic cartilage found in the body?

It is found where strength and stretchability are needed, such as in the external ear and epiglottis. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of fibers are found in elastic cartilage?

Elastin fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of bone looks smooth and solid to the naked eye?

Compact bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of bone in the body?

It supports and protects, stores calcium and other minerals and fat, and marrow inside bones is the site for blood cell formation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the density of compact bone and the density of spongy bone?

Compact bone: compact; Spongy bone: porous. Signup and view all the answers

Where is spongy bone normally found?

Inside the bone. Signup and view all the answers

Where is compact bone normally found?

In the outer part of the bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of spongy bone?

It is a honeycomb of small needle-like or flat pieces called trabeculae, filled with bone marrow. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of compact bone?

To support the entire body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of blood?

Red and white blood cells in a fluid matrix. Signup and view all the answers

Where is blood normally found in the body?

Contained within the blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of blood?

To transport respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and other substances. Signup and view all the answers

Why is blood classified as a connective tissue?

Because it develops from mesenchyme and consists of blood cells, and is surrounded by blood plasma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of elastic connective tissue?

A few ligaments, such as the ligamenta nuchae and flava, connecting adjacent vertebrae. Signup and view all the answers

Where can elastic connective tissue sometimes be found?

In the digestive tract, allowing it to expand during eating, and in the respiratory tract for lung expansion and recoil. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Loose Connective Tissues

Areolar, adipose, and reticular are classified as loose connective tissues.
Areolar connective tissue wraps and cushions organs, supports inflammation, holds tissue fluid, and houses macrophages for phagocytosis.
Found widely under epithelial layers, in lamina propria of mucous membranes, packaging organs, and surrounding capillaries.
Its most notable feature is the loose arrangement of fibers, providing flexibility.
It serves as a reservoir of water and salts for surrounding tissues, aiding in fluid balance during inflammation (edema).

Adipose Connective Tissue

Provides reserve food fuel, insulation against heat loss, and protection for organs.
Typically located under the skin, around kidneys, eyeballs, and in breasts.
Contains adipocytes, which make up about 90% of its mass; nuclei are displaced by large fat droplets.
Structure includes sparse matrix, closely packed adipocytes, and peripheral nuclei.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Found in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen.
Contains a network of reticular fibers that create a supportive framework for various cells.
Functions to form a soft internal skeleton supporting white blood cells, mast cells, and macrophages.

Dense Connective Tissues

Dense regular connective tissue has closely packed collagen fibers that run in the same direction and forms strong tendons.
It attaches muscles to bones and bones to bones, providing tensile strength.
Dense irregular connective tissue has thicker, irregularly arranged collagen fibers and withstands tension from multiple directions. Commonly found in the dermis of the skin and surrounding joints.

Cartilage Types

Hyaline cartilage, the most abundant type, is found in embryonic skeleton, joint surfaces, nose, trachea, and larynx. It provides support, cushioning, and resists compressive stress.
Fibrocartilage serves as a structural intermediate, located in intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, and knee joint discs. It offers tensile strength and absorbs compressive shock.
Elastic cartilage contains more elastic fibers, allowing structures to maintain shape while permitting flexibility; found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Bone Tissue

Compact bone appears smooth and is dense, providing structural support, protecting organs, and storing minerals and fat.
Spongy bone, found internally, is porous with a honeycomb structure called trabeculae, containing bone marrow in open spaces.
Bone marrow acts as a site for blood cell production.

Blood Tissue

Consists of red and white blood cells suspended in a fluid matrix known as plasma.
Primarily found within blood vessels, blood functions to transport gases, nutrients, wastes, and other substances throughout the body.
Classified as connective tissue due to its origin from mesenchyme and composite structure.

Elastic Connective Tissue

Composed of elastic fibers, allowing for stretch and recoil.
Found in specific ligaments such as ligamenta nucrae and flava, and can also be located in areas that expand and contract, such as the digestive and respiratory tracts.

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Test your knowledge of connective tissues with these flashcards that cover the types and functions of loose and dense connective tissues. Perfect for anyone studying anatomy and physiology, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of these essential components in the human body.