Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue.) It is largely a category of exclusion rather than one with a precise definition, but all or most tissues in this category are similarly: Biological tissue is a collection of interconnected cells that perform a similar function within an organism. ... This article is about the epithelium as it relates to animal anatomy. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle (from Latin musculus little mouse [1]) is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. ... Nervous tissue is the fourth major class of vertebrate tissue. ...

• Involved in structure and support.
• Derived from mesoderm, usually.
• Characterized largely by the traits of non-living tissue.

Blood, cartilage, and bone are usually considered connective tissue, but because they differ so substantially from the other tissues in this class, the phrase "connective tissue proper" is commonly used to exclude those three. There is also variation in the classification of embryonic connective tissues; on this page they will be treated as a third and separate category. The mesoderm is one of the three germ layers in the early developing embryo, the other two layers being the ectoderm and the endoderm. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. ... This article is about the skeletal organs. ...

When heated to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, connective tissue emits a "Vinegar Like Stench"^{[citation needed]}.

Classification

Connective tissue proper

Connective tissue proper

• Areolar (or loose) connective tissue holds organs and epithelia in place, and has a variety of proteinaceous fibres, including collagen and elastin. It is also important in stop changing it from erection you fag.
• Dense connective tissue (or, less commonly, fibrous connective tissue) forms ligaments and tendons. Its densely packed collagen fibers have great tensile strength.

Image File history File links Illu_connective_tissues_1. ... Image File history File links Illu_connective_tissues_1. ... Gel-like matrix with all three fiber types Areoloar tissue is the most common connnective tissue type and can be found in the skin as well as in places that connect epithelium to other tissues. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Elastin, also known as elasticin, is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. ... Dense Connective Tissue is. ... ... A ligament is a short band of tough fibrous connective tissue composed mainly of long, stringy collagen fibres. ... A tendon (or sinew) is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and is built to withstand tension. ...

Specialized connective tissues

Specialized connective tissues

• Blood functions in transport. Its extracellular matrix is blood plasma, which transports dissolved nutrients, hormones, and carbon dioxide in the form of bicarbonate. The main cellular component is red blood cells.
• Bone makes up virtually the entire skeleton in adult vertebrates.
• Cartilage makes up virtually the entire skeleton in chondrichthyes. In most other vertebrates, it is found primarily in joints, where it provides cushioning. The extracellular matrix of cartilage is composed primarily of collagen.
• Adipose tissue contains adipocytes, used for cushioning, thermal insulation, lubrication (primarily in the pericardium) and energy storage. [fat]
• Reticular connective tissue is a network of reticular fibres (fine collagen, type III) that form a soft skeleton to support the lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen.)

Image File history File links Illu_connective_tissues_2. ... Image File history File links Illu_connective_tissues_2. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... Link title {{portal|Food} A nutrient is either a chemical element or compound used in an organisms metabolism or physiology. ... Norepinephrine A hormone (from Greek όρμή - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... For baking soda, see Sodium bicarbonate In inorganic chemistry, a bicarbonate (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogencarbonate) is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid. ... “Red cell” redirects here. ... This article is about the skeletal organs. ... Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. ... Subclasses and Orders See text. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. ... Tropocollagen triple helix. ... It has been suggested that Subcutaneous fat be merged into this article or section. ... Adipocytes are the cells that primarily compose adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat. ... Thermal insulation on the Huygens probe The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and processes used to reduce heat transfer. ... Lubrication occurs when opposing surfaces are completely separated by a lubricant film. ... The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels. ... Reticular connective tissue are a network of reticular fibers (fine collagen) that form a soft skeleton (stroma) to support the lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Lymph nodes are components of the lymphatic system. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The spleen is an organ located in the abdomen, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and holding a reservoir of blood. ...

Embryonic connective tissues

• Mesenchymal connective tissue
• Mucous connective tissue

Mesenchyme (also known as embryonic connective tissue) is the mass of tissue that develops mainly from the mesoderm (the middle layer of the trilaminar germ disc) of an embryo. ... Mucous connective tissue (or mucous tissue) is a type of connective tissue found during fetal development. ...

Fiber types

Fiber types as follows:

• collagenous fibers
• elastic fibers
• reticular fibers

Tropocollagen triple helix. ... Elastic fibers are bundles of proteins (elastin) found in connective tissue and produced by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in arteries. ... Reticular fibers are the main structural fiber in some connective tissues. ...

Disorders of connective tissue

Various connective tissue conditions have been identified; these can be both inherited and environmental.

• Marfan syndrome - a genetic disease causing abnormal fibrillin.
• Scurvy - caused by a dietary deficiency in vitamin C, leading to abnormal collagen.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - deficient type III collagen- a genetic disease causing progressive deterioration of collagens, with different EDS types affecting different sites in the body, such as joints, heart valves, organ walls, arterial walls, etc.
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome - a genetic disease related to Marfan syndrome, with an emphasis on vascular deterioration.
• Pseudoxanthoma elasticum - an autosomal recessive hereditary disease, caused by calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibres, affecting the skin, the eyes and the cardiovascular system.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus - a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory disorder of probable autoimmune etiology, occurring predominantly in young women.
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) - caused by insufficient production of good quality collagen to produce healthy, strong bones.
• Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva - disease of the connective tissue, caused by a defective gene which turns connective tissue into bone.
• Spontaneous pneumothorax - collapsed lung, believed to be related to subtle abnormalities in connective tissue.
• Sarcoma - a neoplastic process originating within connective tissue.

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of the connective tissue characterized by disproportionately long limbs, long thin fingers, a relatively tall stature, and a predisposition to cardiovascular abnormalities, specifically those affecting the heart valves and aorta. ... Fibrillin is a protein, which is essential for the formation of elastic fibres found in connective tissue. ... Scurvy (N.Lat. ... This article is about the nutrient. ... Tropocollagen triple helix. ... Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of rare genetic disorders affecting humans and domestic animals caused by a defect in collagen synthesis. ... Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently-discovered autosomal dominant genetic syndrome which has many features similar to Marfan syndrome, but which is caused by mutations in the genes encoding transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) or 2 (TGFBR2). ... Category: ... Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI and sometimes known as Brittle Bone Disease) is a genetic bone disorder. ... Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), is a rare disease of the connective tissue. ... This article is about the skeletal organs. ... “Collapsed lung” redirects here. ... A sarcoma is a cancer of the connective or supportive tissue (bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels) and soft tissue. ... ...

Staining of connective tissue

For microscopic viewing, the majority of the connective tissue staining techniques color tissue fibers in contrasting shades. Collagen may be differentially stained by any of the following techniques:

• Van Gieson's stain
• Masson's Trichrome stain
• Mallory's Aniline Blue stain
• Azocarmine stain
• Krajian's Aniline Blue stain

Van Giesons Stain is a mixture of Picric Acid and Acid Fuchsin. ... Massons trichrome is a three-color staining protocol used in histology. ...

See also

• Zootomy

Zootomy is a contraction of zoological and anatomy and refers to the dissection of animals as opposed to that of plants (phytotomy) See also: Androtomy, zootomical terms for location, Cat anatomy La Anatomía comparada estudia diversas especies. ...

External links

• connective+tissue at eMedicine Dictionary
• t_12/12810256 at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
• Overview at kumc.edu
• UIUC Histology Subject 230
• Connective tissue atlas at uiowa.edu