Tissues Lecture 2

Connective Tissues

Vanessa Hayes
ANHB1101
[email protected]
Objective: Describe the characteristics, function and
locations of different types of connective tissues.

Example Exam Question: Describe the difference

between epithelium and connective tissue in terms of the
density of cells relative to extracellular matrix and relate
this to function.
Connective Tissue
• Many varied functions
• Most widely variable of all tissue types
• Common embryological origin
• Extracellular matrix separates cells
• Cells are widely spaced compared to
other tissues
• May or may not be vascularised

Functions
• Binding & packing (epithelium, capsules
around organs & joints; fat)
• Support (bone, cartilage and fat)
• Protection (bone and fat)
• Insulation (fat)
• Transport (blood – delivers phagocytic and
immune cells where required)
 Structural Elements of CT
Ground Elastic Collagenous
Cells + Matrix = Connective Tissue substance fibres fibres Cells

(Cells < Matrix)

(i) Cells – widely separated; manufactures

CT matrix

(ii) Matrix – determines the properties of CT

= fibres + ground substance

• Ground substance (liquid, jelly, hard)

contains fibres and cells (b)

• Fibres (all) = proteins manufactured by

cells (transcription and translation) Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

G1 of cell cycle
 CT Cells

• Each class of CT has a fundamental cell type

• Exist in immature and mature forms

• Preffix often reflects CT type: fibro, chondro, osteo

• Undifferentiated (immature) cells are actively Fibroblast – stellate shape

mitotic and secrete fibres and ground substance:
suffix = “blast” (producer)

• Mature cell forms are less active (maintenance);

suffix = “cyte” (cell)
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00000nErAFOK9lA/s/600/600/3052831.jpg
• If tissue matrix is damaged, mature cells can
revert to immature forms for the purpose of repair.
 Ground substance
simplest example = clear, amorphous, viscous fluid / gel

Functions:
• Fills up spaces between cells and fibres of CT
• Acts as a molecular sieve
• Allows for rapid diffusion of small molecules
• Acts as a barrier to penetration of large molecules and
foreign particles into tissues, e.g. bacteria and toxins
• Transport of metabolites to and from blood vessels
• Maintenance of electrolyte balance
• Composed of interstitial fluid
(= fluid that surrounds cells),
Ground substance
cell adhesion proteins (to anchor cells in place),
hydrophilic molecules - proteoglycans
(characteristic CT molecules, function is to trap water)
 Connective Tissue Fibres

Collagen Fibres: Elastic Fibres (Elastin):

• very strong, • Finer than collagen
• high tensile strength • Capacity to stretch and recoil
(resistance to breaking
under tension - stretch), Reticular Fibres (Reticulin):
• slightly wavy appearance • Very fine form of collagen
when not under tension; • not visible in most
some give but not elastic. photomicrographs used in HB1
• many different types • Forms supportive networks / mesh
 Disease of Collagen - Scurvy
Scurvy = lack of vitamin C in the diet

Vitamin C = co-factor for 2 enzymes crucial to collagen formation

Scurvy = loose teeth, fragility of the dermis, retarded wound

repair. Affects everything that has collagen as a component.
Very painful. Death is often due to infection.
http://www.dent-wiki.com/img/xldent-10.jpg.pagespeed.ic.OmxH0hjNNv.jpg
Responsible for the death of 2 million sailors between 1500-1800

Almost all animals synthesize Vitamin C

Mammalian exceptions = Tarsiers (suborder),
Anthropoids (NW monkeys, OW monkeys, apes),
guinea pigs, most bats.

Inability to synthesize Vitamin C = inborn error of metabolism due

to being homozygous for a loss of function allele (like PKU)

PKU = genetic disease (gene is rare, environment is common)

Scurvy = environmental disease
(gene is common = species wide, environment is rare)
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-37320399
Types of Connective Tissue

(i) General (fibrous) connective tissue = connective tissue proper

Two subgroups
• Loose CT (Areolar, Reticular)
• Dense CT (Dense regular, Dense irregular)

(ii) Specialised Connective tissues

• Adipose tissue
• Lymphoid tissue
• Blood
• Cartilage
• Bone
Differences between different classes and subgroups reflect cell type, fibre type
and the proportion of matrix occupied by fibres.
Connective Tissue Proper
 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Loose Connective Tissue.

2 types: reticular and areolar

Not expected to recognise reticular

(photomicrograph is FYI only)

Features = abundance of reticular fibres.

Provides a supportive mesh for cells in

delicate, cellular organs like liver,
spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes.
(a)
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc./ Al Telser, photographer
Loose Connective Tissue
Ground Elastic Collagenous Cells
Areolar CT = all 3 fibre types + fibrocytes substance fibres fibres
(fibroblast used interchangeably)
+ white blood cells, macrophages
(= big phagocytes), adipocytes (fat cells).

(b)

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

https://aandpeasyaspanda.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/connective-tissue/
Areolar CT = widely distributed packing material of the body.

• Binds body parts but allows them to move freely over one another.
• Fibres run in multiple directions.
• This allows for movement in many directions because the ground substance is
semi-fluid / gelatinous. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Mucous coat

Cilia

Mucin in
goblet cell
Epithelium

Basement
Mucous membrane
membrane
(mucosa)
Blood vessel

Lamina Collagen fibers

propria
Fibroblast
Elastic fibers

Muscularis
mucosae
(a)
Dense Connective Tissues: regular (below) and irregular
• Predominant fibre type is collagen
• Fibres occupy more space than either cells or ground substance.
Dense Regular:
- Fibres all aligned in
same direction.
- Thick bundles of
collagen
- Poor blood supply
- Fresh tissue is white
- High tensile strength
(= resists a lots of force
before breaking)
- Very flexible so bends
but doesn’t stretch much
 Same elements as dense
regular but fibres are arranged
in many different directions.

Forms sheets of tissue where

tension is exerted in many
different directions

Examples = dermis of the skin,

joint capsules,
fibrous capsules of many
organs, e.g. kidneys, testes,
bones and muscles.

http://www.pathguy.com/histo/052.jpg
Specialised Connective Tissues
 Adipose Tissue
https://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookAnimalTS.html

http://www.lipofilling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/What-is-fat-tissue-2-1024x788.jpg

Adipocytes
http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11577&garpg=3

= Areolar CT that is modified to store fat droplets.

If you empty the fat droplet, the cells look like a fibrocyte.
Adipose Tissue (White and Brown)

Features: well vascularised

Predominant cell type = adipocyte
Very little matrix as cells occupy so
much space. Areolar tissue can
always convert to adipose tissue.

Functions:
• Stores nutrients
• Absorbs shock
• Insulates
• Holds some organs in place, e.g.
kidneys, spinal cord and eyes
= structural fat

Locations: as above + subcutaneous

Blood

Cells = RBC (anucleate) & WBC (nucleate),

platelets (fragments)

Ground substance = liquid, plasma

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11577&garpg=4

Fibres are soluble in the plasma and only

evident during clotting.

Functions:
Transport - O2 nutrients, waste, hormones
Protection – WBC, antibodies, platelets
Regulation – Homeostasis
(pH, body temperature, fluid distribution)
 Cartilage

3 types (hyaline, elastic &

fibrocartilage)
• All avascular
• Intermediate between
dense CT and bone
• Tough but some flexibility
• Can attach muscles and
tendons to it
• Cells called chondroblasts
& chondrocytes
• No nerve supply so good
for covering joints Functions: provides shape and support; template for bone growth; resists
compressive forces.
• Most cartilage is covered
by perichondrium Locations: Hyaline (synovial joints, trachea, fetal skeleton; growth zones of skeleton),
Elastic (epiglottis, external ear), Fibrocartilage (pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs).
(dense irregular CT)
Cartilage
Chondroblasts – actively deposit matrix
Chondrocytes – maintenance

Avascular so nourished via diffusion from the

perichondrium (dense irregular CT capsule)

= limit to cartilage thickness because there is a

limit to effective diffusion

Perichondrium houses chondroblasts – can add

to cartilage.

Ground substance has firmly bound collagen

fibres (whether or not they are visible depends
on collagen type and number of fibres).

Ground substance contains up to 80% water

bound to hydrophilic molecules to create
stiffness.
 Cartilage

Chondroblasts secrete matrix until they

become trapped in small cavities called
lacunae.

Then they are chondrocytes.

Cells divide via mitosis and form little

groups - Isogenous groups.

(iso = same / equal;

genous = generating / producing / yielding)
https://www.slideshare.net/openmichigan/100808-histology-cartilagemature-bone

http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Cartilage/Cartil.htm#Fibrous
Cartilage grows by both
https://www.slideshare.net/openmichigan/100808-histology-cartilagemature-bone

interstitial and appositional

means.

Interstitial = intervening space

– grows from the middle
outwards – cells sitting the
matrix divide and then lay
down more matrix.

Appositional – to apply
adding more cartilage to the
outside.
 Example Exam Question: Describe the difference between
epithelia and connective tissue in terms of the density of cells
relative to extracellular matrix and relate this to function.

Epithelium – cells densely packed, very little extracellular space.

Why? – functionally acts as a barrier, therefore cells must be tightly bound to each
other to regulate what can cross the barrier & to maintain structural integrity.

Connective tissue – cells widely spaced, lots of extracellular space surrounding cells.

Why? – functionally cells produce the matrix (fibres and ground substances) which is
what gives the various connective tissue types their properties
e.g. binding, packing, support, protection, insulation & transport.