Classified according to physical properties

 Connective tissue proper (loose, dense regular, dense irregular, elastic adipose, reticular) e.g. areolar
connective tissue, fat, tendons, and ligaments
 Fluid CT e.g. blood and lymph
 Supporting CT e.g. cartilage and bone
DEFINITIONS
The Anatomical Position
All connective tissues (except fluid CT) have the same basic construction involves a diagram of a person
1. Background matrix, not so many cells with their hands at their side,
2. Protein fibres( e.g. collage) – within the matrix palms forward, feet together, and
3. Cells (e.g. fibroblasts and macrophages) looking straight ahead. It is a
useful position because it
provides a common worldwide
Connective Tissue (CT) Characteristics reference point for describing the
 Few cells scattered throughout matrix location for anatomical features
of the body for a common point
 Matrix = ground substances and inclusions of reference and common
o Fills the space between cells terminology.
o May be fluid or semifluid, gel, fibrous, calcified
 Vascular – variability
o Some well supplied with blood vessels (e.g. bone and fat)
o Some have none (e.g. cartilage)
 Have a nerve supply (except cartilage)

Muscle
tissue
These types of tissues are about the contraction of
the muscles for the movement of limbs. Muscle
tissue is specialised for contraction to facilitate
movement, maintain joint stability, providing
postural control, and heat production to
thermoregulate our body.
 Skeletal muscle
o Voluntary control
o Striated
 Cardiac muscle
o Involuntary control
o Striated
 Smooth muscle (like the lining of hollow
internal organs)
o Involuntary control
 o Non-striated

Neural (nerve) tissue

For the communication and for sending messages to the brain for the rest of the body. Its primary function is
communication, where types include:
 Neurons (nerve cells)
 Neuroglia (support cells, for the neurons to function properly)

Membranes of the body

Physical barriers that line/ cover parts of the body. It consists of an epithelium, and supporting connective tissue.
Types of membranes include:
1. Mucous membranes
2. Serous membranes
3. Cutaneous membrane
4. Synovial membranes

Organs
 Made up of different tissues
 Organ functions are supplied by tissues
 Multi-tasking
o E.g. Skeletal muscle – movement, and thermoregulation
o E.g. Liver – over 200+ functions
 Specialists
o E.g. Heart/Cardio – only one function

Organ Systems
Organ systems work with other systems, and not
independently of one another. Like the reproductive
system is controlled by the endocrine system.
 Functions
 Control/ direct
 Cool and warm
 Digest
 Move
 Protect
 Reproduce/ remove
 Store
 Support
 Transport

Body Cavities
Body cavities are spaces that
enclose internal organs and are
separated by bones, muscles,
ligaments, membranes. The
protect, separate, and support
internal organs for them to be held
in place properly inside your body.

Major cavities of trunk = thoracic

(from the diaphragm up) and
abdominopelvic (from the
diaphragm down), which are
separated by the diaphragm; shown
in the diagram above.