The State University of Medicine and

Pharmacy N. Testemitanu

Chief of Histology, Cytology and Embryology departament

Lilian Saptefrati
Vice Chief of Histology, Cytology and Embryology departament
Tatiana Globa

Theme 9

CONNECTIVE TISSUES
CONNECTIVE TISSUES PROPER

CONNECTIVE TISSUES
function primarily to
support the body and
to bind or connect
together all types of
tissue.

Connective tissues
Connective tissue is found throughout the body,
and has 3 main components;
- cells,
- fibers, and
- extracellular matrix.

Functions of connective tissue

storage of energy,
protection of organs,
providing structural framework for the
body,
connection of body tissues .

Tissue

Compo
nents

Location

Collagen
ous
fibers

tendon, ligament, skin, cornea,

Alpha
cartilage, bone,
- polypepti
blood vessels, gut, and
de chains
intervertebral disc.

Elastic
fibers

elastic
microfibrill &
elastin

extracellular matrix

--

liver, bone marrow, lymphatic

organs

Reticular
fibers

Loose connective tissue

Loose connective tissue

Resident cells of connective tissues

Fibroblasts
Fibrocytes
Macrophages
Adipose cells
Mast cells
Adventitial cells

Immigrant cells of connective

tissues

Lymphocytes
Plasma cells
Neutrophils
Monocytes

Fibroblast
- main function
is production of
fibers and
ground
substance

Fibrocyte
formed by fibroblast,
located between
collageous fibrils ,
they functional activity
is lower than
fibroblast.

Fibroblast and fibrocyte

Macrofages
also called
histiocytes, are
phagocytic cells,
derived from
monocytes after their
migration into the
connective tissues,
exist different types of
macrofages
( depends on their
localisation)

Mast cells
have granules
containing histamine,
heparin and
anaphylactic factors.
When released in
response to an
antigen, they cause
hypersensitivity
reactions, allergy and
anaphylaxis.

Degranulation of mast cells

Plasm cell
Plasma cells are
derived from Blymphocytes and
produce antibodies
against a specific
antigen.
They have a
limited migratory
ability and a short
life.

Plasm cells

Adipose cells
Also called
adipocytes, these
cells are specialized
to store neutral fat .

Dense irregular connective tissue.

Adipose tissue
In white or unilocular
fat, adipocytes contain
a single, large lipid
inclusion surrounded
by a thin layer of
cytoplasm.
The lipid mass
compresses the
nucleus to an eccentric
position, producing a
"signet ring"
appearance.

Brown adipose tissues

- is specific for
newborns.
Main function is
thermoregulation.

Melanocytes

Extracellular matrix
The extracellular
matrix consists of
ground substance
(proteoglycans and
glycosaminoglycan)
and fibres (collagen,
reticular , and elastic
fibres ).

Elastical fibers

Elastic fibres

Dense regular connective tissue

Dense regular connective

tissue
bundles of collagen
fibers
of the first order
bundles of collagen
fibers
of the second order

endotendineum

Tendinocytes

peritendineum

Reticular tissue
reticular fibers

reticular cells

lymphocytes

Difference between adipose tissues

White - adipocytes contain a
singlelarge
lipid inclusion surrounded
by a thin layer of cytoplasm.

Brown adipose tissues

consist cells with more
than one
fat vesicle .

http://www.courseweb.uottawa.ca/medicinehistology/english/ss_basictissues/connecti
ve_tissue.htm
( additional information)