CONNECTIVE TISSUE ➢ Part of mononuclear phagocytic system

By: DR. GIRONELLA ➢ Histocytes

➢ Kuffer cells: liver
Connective Tissue ➢ Microglia: CNS
➢ Langer hans: epidermis
o originate from embryo
➢ Dendritic: lymph node
o Mesenchyme : develop from mesoderm
o Undifferentiated, spindle shape, scant Leukocytes
cytoplasm ➢ White blood cells / soldiers
➢ Neutrophils, eosinophil, Lymphocytes,
o form fibrous connective tissue cartilage,
Basophil, Monocyte
bones and blood.
Plasma Cells
o most diverse and abundant tissue
o Matrix that supports and connects tissue to ➢ Lymphocyte derived
form organ ➢ Humoral mediated Immunity/ produces
o Except in nervous system antibody
➢ Ovoid in shape
o Interstitial fluid of connective tissues serves
➢ Life span 10-20 days
metabolic support to cell
➢ Spherical nucleus, eccentrically places
Mast Cells
Structural Elements of Connective Tissue ➢ Similar to basophil
1.) Cells ➢ Oval shaped, irregularly shaped cells
2.) Extracellular Matrix ➢ Central cells: meaning: they detect invasion
A. Fibers of microorganism
B. Ground Substance ➢ Involved in analhylaxis
➢ Exhibit metachromasia
Connective Tissue Cells
Fixed Cells: relatively immobile cells Connective Tissue Fibers
1) Collagen fibers
Fibroblasts: 2) Elastic fibers
➢ parenchymal cell 3) Reticular fibers
➢ key cell in connective tissue
➢ main cells, synthesize collagen and elastin. Collagen
➢ irregularly branched cytoplasm ➢ Secreted by fibroblasts and other cells
Adipose Cells/ Fat Cells: ➢ Comprised of about 30% of dried body
➢ signet ring cell weight
➢ for storage of lipid in the form of triglyceride ➢ Type 1- skin, tendon, bone
Mesenchymal: ➢ Type 2- cartilage
➢ undifferentiated, spindle shaped, scant ➢ Type 3- reticular fiber
cytoplasm, ➢ Type 4- mostly in epithelial cells
large nuclei, prominent nucleolus, fine o Keloid: abnormal large amount of collagen,
chromatin more in african decent.
➢ sometimes called: STEM 611 Elastic
Reticular Cells: ➢ Thinner than type 1 collagen
➢ special type of fibroblasts ➢ Rubber like properties
➢ synthesizes collagen type 3 and uses it to ➢ Found in stroma of lungs sa well as in blood
form reticular fibers vessel
➢ the cells surrounds fibers with its cytoplasm, ➢ Produced by fibroblast and other cells
isolating it from ➢ Abn: weakened blood vessel causes
other tissue components in the cell, to Aneurysm.
provide structural support. Reticular
➢ Also collagen, type 3 collagen
Free wandering cells:
➢ Argyrophilic, silver loving cells
Macrophages ➢ Immune system organs
➢ Derived from blood monocyte

Fats / MHSB/ #E2LANGMALAKAS

 ➢ Contains 10% carbohydrate - Function: able to withstand
➢ Seed like structure that acts as support tension, exerted in many
system in lymphoid organs. directions; provides structural
strength.
Connective Tissue Ground Substance - Location: dermis of the skin;
Are highly hydrated and transparent / complex submucosa of digestive tract,
mixture of: fibrous capsules of organs and
1) Glycosqminoglycans (GAGS) joints.
2) Proteoglycans
3) Multiadhesive glycoprotein B. Dense Regular Connective Tissue
- Primarily parallel collagen fibers; a
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) few elastin fibers; major cell type is
➢ Known as mucopolysaccharides, they are FIBROBLAST.
made up of long polymers of repeating - Function: attaches muscles to
disaccharides. bones or to muscles; attaches
o Hyaluronic acid- largest, synthesized in bones to bones; withstands great
extracellular matrix tensile stress when pulling force is
o Chondroitin sulfate applied in one direction.
o Keratin sulfate - Location: tendons, most ligaments
Proteoglycans and Aponeuroses
➢ Mixture of proteins and GAGS C. Loose (Areolar) Connective Tissue
Multi-adhesive Glycoprotein - Gel-like matrix with all three fiber
➢ Allows adhesion of cells to their substrate types; cells: Fibroblasts,
➢ Oligosaccharide macrophages, mast cells and some
o Chondronectin: cartilage with blood cells.
o Osteonectin: bone - Function: wraps and cushions
o Fibronectin: tissue organs, its macrophages
phagocytize bacteria, plays
Classification of Connective Tissue important role in inflammation;
1) Fibrous holds and convers tissue fluid
➢ connective tissue proper - Location: widely distributed under
➢ DENSE IRREGULAR CT epithelia of body, eg. Forms lamina
proporia of mucous membranes;
➢ DENSE REGULAR CT
packages organs; surrounds
➢ LOOSE AREOLAR CT
capillaries.
*ELASTIC

2) Embryonic Specialized Connective Tissue

➢ Mesenchymal A. Reticular Connective Tissue
➢ mucous - Delicate network of reticular fibers
secreted by reticular cells.
3) Specialized - Reticular cells lie on the network
➢ Reticular - Function: form a soft internal
➢ Bone: compact and spongy skeleton that supports other cell
➢ Cartilage: hyaline, elastic fibrous types including white blood cells,
➢ Adipose: brown white mast cells and macrophages.
- Location: Lymphoid orfans, bone
Fibrous Connective Tissue marrow and spleen.
A. Dense irregular Connective Tissue - Argyrophilic
B. Adipose Tissue
- Irregularly arranged collagen fibers;
some elastic fibers; major cell type - Matrix is in aveolar, but very
sparse, closely packed adipocytes
is Fibroblast.
or fat cells.

Fats / MHSB/ #E2LANGMALAKAS

 - Have nucleus pushed to the side by
large fat droplet.
- Function: Provides reserve food
fuel, insulates against heat loss,
supports and protect organs.
- Location: Under skin, around
kidneys and eyeballs, within
abdomen; in breasts
- For energy storage: Lipids
- White: Predominant- 20% of body
- Brown: 5%, smaller in adult.

Embryonic Connective Tissue

A. Mesenchymal / Stem Cells
- Few collagen fibers
- Proginator cells
B. Mucous connective Tissue
- Umbilical cord : Wharton’s Jelly
- Cells: Fibroblasts
- Contain: collagen, located in
viscous matrix to support vessel.

Fats / MHSB/ #E2LANGMALAKAS