Questions and Answers
What is connective tissue primarily responsible for?
Connective tissue is the least abundant tissue in the body.
False
What does the term 'vascular' refer to in connective tissue?
Having its own blood supply.
List the exceptions to well vascularized connective tissues.
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What connects muscle to bone?
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Ligaments connect bone to bone and heal very quickly.
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What happens to cartilage when it's injured?
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What is the extracellular matrix made of?
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Ground substance in the extracellular matrix includes _____, adhesion proteins, and polysaccharides.
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Match the following connective tissue types with their characteristics:
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What type of connective tissue is known as a shock absorber?
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What type of connective tissue is characterized by fat cells?
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Areolar tissue is well vascularized and helps cushion organs.
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What is the function of reticular connective tissue?
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Study Notes
Connective Tissue Overview
- Connective tissue provides support, protection, and binding, making it the most abundant tissue type in the body.
- Most connective tissues are well vascularized, allowing for efficient healing.
Vascularity in Connective Tissue
- Tissues with blood supply heal better; however, some connective tissues are exceptions to this rule.
Types of Connective Tissue Exceptions
- Tendons and ligaments, although not avascular, have a poor blood supply and heal slowly.
- Cartilage is completely avascular and cannot heal independently.
Structure of Connective Tissue
- Composed of living cells mixed with an extracellular matrix, which includes a ground substance and fibers.
Extracellular Matrix Composition
- The extracellular matrix is produced and excreted by connective tissue cells, varying in consistency from liquid to hard.
Ground Substance Definition
- Ground substance is made up of water, adhesion proteins, and polysaccharides.
Types of Fibers in Extracellular Matrix
- Collagen fibers: provide tensile strength and are found in tendons, characterized by their non-stretchy, white appearance.
- Elastic fibers: yellow, stretchy fibers located in vocal cords, resembling rubber bands.
- Reticular fibers: fine fibers that create a soft internal skeleton for organs, resembling cotton balls.
Major Types of Connective Tissue
- Includes bone tissue, cartilage, dense connective tissue, loose connective tissue, and blood.
Bone Tissue Characteristics
- Rigid and hard, with a matrix rich in calcium, salts, and collagen fibers. Osteocytes are housed in lacunae.
- Has good blood supply, which aids in faster healing.
Types of Cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage: Avascular, provides support and structure; found in various locations like the nose and larynx.
- Elastic cartilage: Avascular, contains elastic fibers and found in the outer ear.
- Fibrocartilage: Avascular, serves as a shock absorber and is highly compressible; located in knee caps and vertebral disks.
Dense Connective Tissue Features
- Comprised of closely packed collagen fibers and fibroblasts, found in tendons and ligaments.
- Characterized by low blood supply, resulting in slow healing.
Dermis Definition
- The dermis constitutes the lower layers of skin, composed mainly of dense connective tissue.
Types of Loose Connective Tissue
- Areolar tissue: Well vascularized, cushions organs, and acts as a water and salt reservoir. It can swell during inflammation (edema).
- Adipose tissue: Stores fats (signet ring cells) for insulation and protection.
- Reticular connective tissue: Present in organs that produce blood cells, with reticular fibers forming the stroma in lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.
Blood as a Connective Tissue
- Blood is considered vascular tissue with cells suspended in a nonliving plasma matrix.
- Contains white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets; fibers are only evident during clotting.
- Essential for transportation within the body.
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Description
Test your knowledge on connective tissue with this flashcard quiz. Learn about its characteristics, types, and vascularization. Perfect for students studying anatomy and physiology.
