CONNECTIVE

TISSUE
PRESENTED BY:
DR. VIVEK SINGH
 TISSUE

Cells are highly organized, but they do not work as

isolated unit in our body.They work together in
groups called tissue
Four type : 1. Epithelial tissue
 2. Connective tissue
 3. Muscle tissue
 4. Nervous tissue
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE

WHICH COVERS BODY SURFACE ; LINES

HOLLOW ORGANS,BODY CAVITIES & DUCTS;
&FORMS GLANDS
 EPITHELIUM- CONNECTIVE TISSUE
INTERFACE

Seprated by non cellular thin sheet called basal

lamina (product of c.t. & epi.)
Basal lamina with hemidesmosomes attach epi to
underlying C.T.
FUNCTION: filter control passage molecules b/w epi
& C.T. & act barrier to cell migration
STRUCTURE OF BASAL LAMINA:
Thickness 50 – 100 nm
2 structural component- LAMINA LUCIDA,
LAMINA DENSA
Main fiber is type I collagen ( chicken wire complex)
Glycoprotein, proteoglycan
Type III & VII also present
 General features Of Connective Tissue

 * 3 basic elements: cells, ground substance & fibers

 * do not usually occur on free surface
 * Except cartilage connective tissue has nerve supply
 * Except cartilage connective tissue has rich vascular
supply
 * Matrix of connective tissue is secreted by connective
tissue cells & adjacent cells
 FUNCTION OF CONNETIVE `TISSUE

Connect & bind cell giving the body structural

support & helping tissue resist mechanical stresses
Functions as physical barrier to entry micro-org. into
body
Many C.T. cell play role in defense of body by
mediating inflammation,imunity &wound repair
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS

1. Fibroblast
2. Macrophages
3. Plasma cells
4. Mast cells
 FIBROBLAST

Predominant cell of C.T.

Responsible for formation & maintenance of fibrous
& ground substance
STRUCTURE :
Resting fibroblast is elongated cell with less nucleus
containing condensed chromatin
Active fibroblast: oval, pale staining nucleus &
greater amount of cytoplasm
JUNCTION :
In most fibroblast intracellular junction are not
present
Exception embryonic C.T. : gap junction present
Fibroblast form specialized focal contact with
component of extracellular matrix called fibronexus.
Contraction & Motility :
Important during C.T. formation & remodeling &
during wound repair
In certain tissue fibroblast have significant
contractile properties called myofibroblast
Secretary product of fibroblast:
Syn. & secrete variety of extra cellular molecules
Include *fibrous element of extra cellular matrix
 *component of amorphous ground
substance
 *number of biologically active molecule
such as proteinases, cytokines & growth factor
 MACROPHAGES

Stellate shape/ fusiform

Small & dense nucleus with less number of
granular ER than fibroblast & membrane bounded
vesicles in cytoplasm
FUNCTION phagocytosis
 initiate fibroblast at site of injury
TYPE melanophage(melanin granules extruded by melanocytes)

siderophage(contain hemosiderin)
 MAST CELL

Spherical & elliptical mononuclear cell

Nucleous small relatively to cell
Dense granules with basic dyes because of heparin
present
Function Histamin(vasodialator)
 Heparin(anticogulant)
 PLASMA CELL

Round/ irregular in shape

Develop from type of W.B.C. called B lymphocyte
Plasma cells secreted antibodies & provied defence
mech. through immunity
Manily present in G.I.T. & mammary gland.
PLASMA CELLS
 CONNECTIVE
TISSUE FIBERS

COLLAGEN FIBERS ELASTIC FIBERS RETICULAR FIBERS

 COLLAGEN FIBERS

Abundant proteins
19 type
STRUCTURE
All collagen composed of 3 polypeptide alpha chain
coiled around each other to form triple helix
configuration
Common feature include Presence of amino acid
glycine in every 3rd position, presence of
hydroxyproline, presence of hydroxylysine
Mesenchymal cells & derivatives are major
producer of collagen
TYPE OF COLLAGEN:
Fibrillar collagen TYPE I,II,III.V,XI
Basement membrane collagen TYPE IV
Fibril associated collagen with interrupted
triple helixes TYPE IX, XII,XIV
Meshwork forming collagen TYPE VIII,X
Anchoring-fibril collagen TYPE VII
Microfibril-forming collagen TYPEVI
Transmembrane collagens TYPE XIII,XVII
Endostatin forming collagens TYPE XV, XVIII
 TYPES OF COLLAGEN
Fibrillar collagen I Abundant in skin, dentin, Tensile strength
bone,cementum & most CT
II Cartilage, vitreous -do-
humo,intervertebral disk
III Emb.C.T.,lymphoid tissue -do-
V Dentin, Basement membrane -do-

XI Cartilage -do-
Basement memb. IV Basement membrane Structure network
of basement
membrane
FACIT IX Cartilage Attach fibril to
surface
XII Widespread in many C.T. Modulates fibril
interaction
XIV -do- -do-
Meshwork forming VIII Endothelium, cornea Tissue support

X Cartilage Calcium binding

Anchoring fibril VII Epithelium Strengthens epi-

C.T. junction
Microfibril- forming XI Cartilage, skin, ligaments Bridging b/w cells
collagens & matrix
Endostatin- XV Endothelial basement Proteolytic release
forming collagens membrane of antiangiogenic
factor

XVIII Endothelial basement Proteolytic release

membrane of antiangiogenic
factor
 ELASTIC FIBERS

Found in those organ & tissue that some one elastic

& must strech or recoil(art., skin, alveoli of lung)

Elastic property due to cross-link b/w lysine group
formed by enz. Lysyl oxidase & its highly
hydrophilic nature
FORMATION: to form elastin glycoproteins
fibrillin1, fibrillin2 & several microfibril-associated
glycoprotein are secreted first & assmbled into
microfibrils
As microfibril provide a scaffold for assembly of
elastic fibers
As elastin accumulates ,microfibril are displaced
peripherally, resulting core of elastin surround by
sleeve of microfibrils
 RETICULAR FIBERS

Consisting protein collagen & coating of glycoprotein

Provide support in wall of blood vessels & form
network arround fat cells, nerve fiber,smooth muscle
cells
Thinner than collagen fiber
Form mesh network called stroma in lymphoid
nodes & spleen
GROUND SUBSTANCE
 GROUND SUBSTANCE

Extracellular matrix appears amorphous in

microscope but contain complex mixture of
macromolecules with important functions
These macromolecules with cell & fibrous
component of matrix & involved in adhesion &
signaling events
Fibroblast syn. 2 main classes of macromolecules
making up of ground sudstance :
PROTEOGLYCANS & GLYCOPROTEIN
 Proteoglycans

 Consist of protein core to which glycosaminoglycon chain

are attached
 Glycosaminoglycans are long chain of repeating
disaccharied units consisting hexosamine & uronic acid
 HYALURONIC ACID * bind cells together
 * lubricates joints
 * maintain shape of eyeball
 CHONDROITIN SULPHATE jelly like, provide
adhesiveness in cartilage, bone, skin, blood vessels
 DERMATAN SULFATE: present in skin, tendon, blood
vessels, heart valves
 KERATAN SULPHATE: present in bone, cartilage,
cornea of eye
 GLYCOPROTEIN

Primary function is to bind cells extra cellular

matrix elements
Ex. 1. Fibronectin: syn. By hepatocytes and
fibroblast
 function attachment,spreading, migration of
cells
2. Tenascin : star shaped, binds fibronectin &
proteogylcans
3. Thrombospondis : trimetric structure, function
attachment,spreading, migration of cells
 CLASIFICATION
 EMBRYONIC C.T.  MATURE C.T.
 1. MESENCHYME  1.LOOSE C.T.
 2. MUCOUS  A.ADIPOSE
 B.AREOLAR
 C.RETICULAR
 2.DENSE
 A.DENSE REGULAR
 B.DENSE IRREGULAR
 C.ELASTIC
 3.CARTILAGE
 4.BONE
 5.VASCULAR TISSUE
 EMBRYONIC CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
C.T. which present in embro / fetus
Embro: first 2 month of pregnancy
Fetus : 3rd of pregnancy to birth
 MESENCHYME CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
The tissue from all other C.T. eventually derived
Composed of irregularly shaped mesenchymal cells,
semi fluid ground substance & reticular fibers
 MUCOUS CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Also called Whartons jelly
Found in umbilical cord of fetus
Contain star shaped cells,more viscous jelly like
ground substance & collagen fibers
 LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Fiber are loosely arrange & there are many cells

 AREOLAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Most widely distributed
Cells : fibroblast, macrophages, plasma cells, mast
cells, adipocytes,&few W.B.C.
Fibers; collagen , elastic, reticular
Gr. Substance : hyaluronic acid, chondrotin
sulphate, dermatan sulphate, keratan sulphate
LOCATION: subcutaneous layer of skin, papillary
region of dermis of skin, mucous membrane
FUNCTION: strength, elasticity & support
 ADIPOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Contain adipose cells(adipocytes) derived from

fibroblast
Storage of triglycerides (fat & oil)
Formed during prenatal & first year of life
Cells store droplets of fat in cytoplasm causing
them to swell & forcing nuclei to one side
LOCATION: subcutaneous layer of skin, around
heart & kidney, yellow bone marrow of long bone
Good insulator, so reduce heat loss from skin
Adult fat : white fat
Brown fat: infants & fetus
Brown fat has very rich blood supply & numerous
mitrochondria which contain colored cytochrome
pigments
Brown fat generate heat which help to maintain body
temp. in new born
 DENSE CONNETIVE TISSUE

Thiker & densly packed fibers but less cells than

loose C.T.
 DENSE REGULAR CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Bundle of collagen fibers have regular, parallel
arrangement that give strength
Fibroblast present in b/w rows
Matrix shiny white
LOCATION: form tendon & ligament
FUNCTION: provide strong attachment b/w various
structure
DENSE IRREGULAR CONNECTIVE
TISSUE
Consist of predominently collagen fibers randomly
arrange fibroblast form sheet
LOCATION:Fasciae, reticular region of
dermis,perichondrium, preiosteum
FUNCTION : provied strength
 ELASTIC CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Consists of predominantly freely branching elastic
fibers; fibroblast present space b/w fibers
LOCATION: lung tissue, walls of elastic
artries,trachea
FUNCTION: allow stretching of various agent
 Lab Guide
Fiber/cell/C.T. STAIN

Reticular fiber reticulin

Elastic fiber eosin

macrophages trichrome

Mast cell Toluidine stain

Dense regular C.T. Van gieson

Dense irregular C.T. H&E

Adipose tissue H&E

Mesenchymal C.T. H&E

 CARTILAGE

Cartilage is a tough, semi transparent, elastic,

flexible connective tissue consisting of cartilage cells
(chondrocytes and chondroblasts) scattered through
a lipoprotein material strengthen by collagen fibers.
The exterior  part of  cartilage  is covered by dense
fibrous membrane called the perichondrium. There
are no nerves or blood vessels in cartilage, and when
damaged, it does not heal readily.
 Function

 It covers the  surface of  joints, allowing bones to slide over

one  another, thus  reducing  friction and preventing
damage;
 it also acts as a shock absorber.
 It forms part  of  the structure of the skeleton  in the ribs,
where it joins them to the breastbone (sternum).
 Cartilage is found in the tip of the nose, in the external ear,
in the walls of  the windpipe (trachea) and  the voice box 
(larynx)  where it provides support and shape.
 In an embryo,  the skeleton is formed of  cartilage  which 
is  gradually  replaced  by  bone  as  the embryo grows.
Cartilage is rather rare in the adult humans, but it is
very important during development because of its
firmness and its ability to grow rapidly. In
developing humans, most of the bones of the
skeleton are preceded by a temporary cartilage
"model". Cartilage is also formed very early during
the repair of bone fractures.
It is found in only 2 kinds of sites after growth is
over in postnatal life
First is some extraskeletal cartilaginous structure
exist in body.
Second site where cartilage remain through out life
is articulating joints.
Most of the cartilage develops in prenatal life has
only temporary existence because it replaced by
bone
 CARTILAGE

HYALINE CARTILAGE FIBROCARTILAGE ELASTIC CARTILAGE

 HYLAIN CARTILAGE

Also called gristle

Contain resilient gel as its ground substance &
appear in body as bluish-white substance
Cell present in cartilage is chondrocytes &
chondroblast
Growth occurs by two mechanisms
Interstitial growth - Chondroblasts within the
existing cartilage divide and form small groups of
cells, isogenous groups, which produce matrix to
become separated from each other by a thin
partition of matrix. Interstitial growth occurs
mainly in immature cartilage.
Appositional growth - Mesenchymal cells
surrounding the cartilage in the deep part of the
perichondrium (or the chondrogenic layer)
differentiate into chondroblasts. Appositional
growth occurs also in mature cartilage.
Proteoglycans
Cartilage proteoglycan binds with water & provides
resilience
 GLYCOPROTEIN

Chondronectin
Chondrocalcin
H & E sections
 FIBROCARTILAGE

Fibrocartilage is conveniently studied at sites where

tendon is inserted into cartilage
Where tendon inserted into cartilage collagen form
by chondroblast instead of fibroblast
     - fibrocartilage is composed of bundles of thick clearly defined
collagen fibers,
          along w/ intervening unicellular islands of cartilage arranged in
small chains;
    - it has a low content of glycosaminoglycans (2% of dry weight).
    - cartilaginous matrix is small and is noticed only around each
chondrocyte;
    - collagenous fibers are usually arrayed parallel to tension on
tissue;
    - it is found in symphyseal joints, intervertebral discs & in articular
discs;
    - amount of fibrocartilage increases with age as hyaline cartilage
transforms
          into fibrocartilage;
    - fibrocartilage does not have a surrounding perichondrium;
Avascular
In adult lack of perichondrium
Present in symphysis pubis, intervertebral disks.
 ELASTIC CARTILAGE

This flexible tissue consists of yellow elastic fibers

lying in sold medium
Chondrocytes b/w fibers
Support external ear epiglottis
In adult fibrous layer of perichondrium is present