CONNECTIVE TISSUE FIBERS

3 types

*
 Collagen Fibers Elastic Fibers Reticular Fibers

LM Non-branching Single, thin and Fine network of

fibers in branching branching fibers or branching &
wavy bundles membranes. anastomosing
fibers.

Staining Eosin= pink Eosin= pink Eosin= pink

Masson trichrome= Orcein= brown Sliver= brown
blue

Character Tough & resist Elastic Loose & flexible

stretching

Common site Tendon Aorta Stroma of

organ&glands
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE MATRIX
*It is the Amorphous Material holding the cells and
fibers together. It is formed of tissue fluid held to
macromolecules
TYPES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER
The most common type of C.T. characterized by its
soft matrix.
Loose Type Dense Type

The amount of . The amount of fibers

matrix is abundant. is abundant
1. Areolar C.T. 1. White fibrous C.T.
2. Adipose C.T. 2. Yellow elastic C.T.
3. Reticular C.T.
4. Mucoid C.T.
5. Pigmented C.T.
 LOOSE AREOLAR C.T.
The most common type of C.T.
LM: All types of cells and fibers are detected with
predominance of fibroblasts and collagen fibers.
Soft matrix is abundant
Site: Present everywhere in the body except CNS
- Surrounding organs.
- Submucosa of luminal organs.
- Superficial layer of skin dermis
Function
- Exchange of materials with blood.
- Binding structures.
- Physical barrier.
 ADIPOSE C.T.
LM: - Most types of cells are detected with
predominance of fat cells - Collagen and elastic
fibers divide the cells into groups while reticular
fibers support individual cells.
- Soft matrix is moderate in amount
 White Adipose C.T Brown Adipose C.T.

Character - Unilocular fat cells. - Multiilocular fat cells.

- Poor vascularity. - Rich vascularity.
- yellowish colour - brownish colour.
- Affected by hormones & diet. - Affected by hormones only

Site - Under skin. - Fetal and neonatal period:

- Mammary gland.
White Adipose C.T widely distributed
- Around internal organs - In adults: rare (interscapular,
(kidney). axillary regions and surrounding
aorta &
- suprarenal gland
Functions - Fat storage. – - Heat generation
- Organ support.
- Heat insulation.
- Gives body contour.
 RETICULAR C.T.
LM: - Interconnected reticular cells are predominating. -
Reticular fibers forming a delicate network of branching
and anastomosing fibers (silver stained=brown).
- Soft matrix is abundant.
Sites: Background stroma of organs and glands (spleen,
liver, lymph nodes....).
Function:
- Support.
- Defensive function in case of infection.
 MUCOID C.T.
An embryonic type of C.T.
LM: - Interconnected UMCs are predominating.
- Few collagen and reticular fibers.
- Mucoid matrix is abundant. (Gel-like)
Sites:
- Umbilical cord (Wharton's jelly).
- Vitreous humor
- Pulp of teeth.
Functions
-. Support
 PIGMENTED C.T.
LM: - Large number of pigment cells
(melanophores) are predominating. - Reticular
fibers forming a network (silver stained=brown).
- Soft matrix is moderate.
- Consistency: Soft.
Sites: Middle layer of eyeball (iris, ciliary body
and choroid
Function:
Support & Prevents scattering of light rays.
 WHITE FIBROUS C.T.
LM:
- White collagenous fibers are predominate
(arranged in bundles) with fibroblast &
fibrocytes
- (white in fresh state).
- Soft matrix is minimal.
- Poor vascularity.
- Consistency: Dense, tough and non-
stretchable
 Regular Type Irregular Type
LM Regular rows of Irregular collagen
fibroblasts alternating bundles with widely
with collagen bundles. separated fibroblasts

Sites - Muscle tendons. - Ligaments.

- Cornea of eye. - Sclera of eye.
- Organ capsules
Function Resists stretch in one Resists stretch in
direction many directions
 YELLOW ELASTIC C.T.
LM: - Fibroblasts are predominant.
- Regular parallel elastic fibers (yellow in fresh
state).
- Minimal matrix.
- Consistency: Dense, stretchable and elastic.
Sites:
- Large elastic arteries (aorta & pulmonary).
- Vocal cords.
- Respiratory passages and lung alveoli
Function: Highly stretchable and recoils to its
original length.