Connective Tissue Types Quiz

Reticular Fibers

• Thin collagenous fibers that form supportive networks in tissues.
• Similar to collagen but specifically designed for forming networks.

Types of Connective Tissue

• Loose Connective Tissue

  • Composed of fewer protein fibers, creating a lacy network.
  • Areolar Tissue: Delicate membranes binding skin to underlying organs, consisting of fibroblasts in a gel-like ground substance with collagenous and elastic fibers.
  • Adipose Tissue: Stores fat beneath skin, around joints, and padding organs, insulating the body and housing fat cells.
  • Reticular Tissue: Contains only reticular fibers, providing support for certain structures.

• Dense Connective Tissue

  • Composed of densely packed collagenous fibers, very strong with poor blood supply.
  • Regular Dense Connective Tissue: Collagen fibers in parallel bundles, forms tendons and ligaments.
  • Irregular Dense Connective Tissue: Randomly arranged collagen fibers, providing resistance in multiple directions, forms capsules and the dermis layer of skin.
  • Elastic Dense Connective Tissue: Similar to regular but more elastic.

Specialized Connective Tissue

• Cartilage:

  • Rigid tissue providing supportive framework, lacks vascular system leading to slow healing.
  • Contains chondrocytes in lacunae, performing various metabolic and structural tasks.

• Satellite Cells:

  • A type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system located in sensory and autonomic ganglia.

• Schwann Cells:

  • Glial cells surrounding peripheral neurons, essential for maintenance, function, and regeneration.

Membranes

• Tissue Membrane: A thin layer covering structures or lining cavities.
• Body Membranes: Cover surfaces and line cavities, providing protection and lubrication.
  • Epithelial Membranes: Includes cutaneous, mucous, and serous membranes.
    • Cutaneous Membrane: Composed of epidermis and dermis, is exposed and dry.
    • Mucous Membrane: Lines cavities opening to the outside, consists of various epithelial types overlying loose connective tissue, secretes mucus for protection and absorption.
    • Serous Membrane: Lines internal cavities, composed of simple squamous epithelium and secretes serous fluid for lubrication.

Glands

• Thyroid Gland: Located in the neck, regulates metabolism and tissue function through hormones.
• Pituitary Gland: Master gland controlled by the hypothalamus, regulates other glands including thyroid and adrenal glands.
• Hypothalamus: Communication center regulating temperature, food intake, sleep, and emotional behavior.
• Pineal Gland: Deep in the brain, regulates melatonin for sleep patterns and female hormones.
• Adrenal Gland: Located atop kidneys, produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that control blood pressure and stress response.
• Pancreas: Dual-function gland producing digestive enzymes and hormones for blood glucose regulation. Inflammation of pancreas is called pancreatitis.
• Sweat Glands: Two types, eccrine (regulating body temperature) and apocrine (associated with hair follicles and stress).
• Sebaceous Glands: Secrete sebum for skin lubrication, aiding temperature regulation and moisture retention.
• Salivary Glands: Produce saliva for digestion and oral health.
• Mammary Glands: Type of sweat gland responsible for milk production in females, triggered by hormones during pregnancy.

Inflammatory Response

• A defense mechanism mobilizing immune cells to isolate and destroy pathogens, facilitating tissue repair.
• Stages of Inflammatory Response:
  • Chemical Mediators Released: Damaged tissue releases mediators causing blood vessel changes.
  • Tissue Swelling: Increased blood flow and capillary permeability lead to swelling.
  • Recruitment of Immune Cells: White blood cells migrate to infection site to eliminate pathogens.

Symptoms of Inflammation

• Redness
• Heat
• Swelling
• Pain
• Disturbed Function

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

• Rubor (Redness): Increased blood flow.
• Tumor (Swelling): Fluid exudation from tissues.
• Calor (Heat): Increased blood flow and fluid exudation due to inflammatory mediators.