Types of Connective Tissue Proper

A type of connective tissue with a loose arrangement of cells, fibers, and ground substance.

The most common type of loose connective tissue, containing fibroblasts, macrophages, and collagen fibers.

Loose connective tissue dominated by fat cells, with white and brown types.

Adipose tissue with fat cells containing a large single fat droplet; a major site of fat storage.

Adipose tissue with fat cells that store fat in multiple droplets and functions to provide heat.

Connective tissue with a network of reticular fibers, found in lymphoid organs and other places.

An unspecialized connective tissue of early embryonic development.

These connective tissues share similar histological structures, primarily composed of fibrous tissue.

Specialized cells found primarily in the fibrous component of tendons, eye sclera and cornea .

Connective tissue rich in elastic fibers, providing flexibility and recoil.

Ligaments characterized by predominance of elastic fibers, allowing for recoil after stretch.

Elastic ligament located at the back of the neck.

Elastic ligament positioned between adjacent vertebrae.

Connective tissue with a firm, flexible, and supportive matrix hardened by intercellular substance.

Immature cartilage-forming cells actively synthesizing matrix components.

Mature cartilage cells, residing in lacunae, responsible for maintaining the matrix.

Spaces in the cartilage matrix containing chondrocytes.

Solid, intercellular material surrounding cells within connective tissue.

A type of connective tissue found in the embryo and umbilical cord, composed primarily of stellate fibroblasts, abundant ground substance (mucin), and fine collagenous fibers.

The gelatinous mass of mucous connective tissue in the umbilical cord, containing collagen fibers and surrounding the umbilical blood vessels.

Connective tissue characterized by tightly packed fibers and few cells, classified into dense white collagenous and dense yellow elastic types.

Dense connective tissue where collagen fibers are predominant, with two arrangements: regular and irregular.

Dense connective tissue with collagen fibers arranged haphazardly, withstanding tension in multiple directions, found in skin layers and organ capsules.

Dense connective tissue containing collagen fibers aligned in a parallel pattern, providing tensile strength in one direction; found in tendons and ligaments.

Regular dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone providing strong attachment and unidirectional force transmission.

Regular dense connective tissue that connects bone to bone, providing stability and limiting movement.

A flexible, semi-rigid cartilage with elastic fibers, enabling it to return to its original shape after deformation.

A fibrous membrane covering cartilage, providing nutrients and supporting the growth of cartilage.

A strong cartilage with collagen fibers, resistant to stretching and compression. It allows restricted mobility under stress.

Dense, parallel collagen fibers (type I) providing great strength in fibrocartilage.

A fibrocartilaginous structure between vertebrae, consisting of an outer annulus fibrosus (collagen type I) and an inner nucleus pulposus (collagen type II).

Cartilage lacks its own blood supply; nutrients reach the cells through diffusion or surrounding tissues.

Growth of cartilage by adding new layers on the surface through chondroblasts in the perichondrium.

Cartilage growth from within, due to chondrocyte division and matrix secretion.

The non-living material of bone, made of organic and inorganic parts

Organic part of bone matrix, mostly collagen.

Inorganic part of bone matrix, mainly calcium phosphate.

Bone stem cells that can become osteoblasts (bone-building cells).

Connective tissue covering bone (except joints).

Inner lining of bone marrow cavities.

Bone-forming cells.

Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize the organic bone matrix (osteoid), including collagen type I and glycoproteins. They also secrete alkaline phosphatase which helps deposit calcium salts.

Osteoblasts appear in periosteum and endosteum, have a deeply basophilic cytoplasm and eccentric nucleus.

Osteoblasts have many ribosomes, abundant RER, a prominent Golgi apparatus, secretory vesicles, and mitochondria, indicating active secretion.

Osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix by contributing to the organic portion, such as collagen fibers and proteoglycans. They help exchange nutrients and waste with the bloodstream via canaliculi.

Osteocytes are smaller than osteoblasts, found in lacunae, and their processes extend into canaliculi. They connect with each other through canaliculi.

Osteocytes have a large, dark, central nucleus, and their cytoplasm is rich in mitochondria, ribosomes, RER, and Golgi apparatus.

Osteoclasts are large cells that break down bone tissue, releasing calcium into the bloodstream. They are located in Howship's lacunae.

Osteoclasts are very large, containing multiple nuclei and acidophilic cytoplasm. Their distinctive location is in Howship's lacunae.

Osteoclasts have abundant lysosomes, mitochondria, and a well-developed Golgi apparatus. The bone-facing surface has a ruffled border, forming compartments for bone breakdown.