Types
of
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Connective Tissue Types
Bone osseous tissue
 Composed of:
 Bone cells (Osteocyte) in lacunae (cavities)
 Hard matrix of calcium salts
 Large numbers of collagen fibers
Used to protect and support the body
Bone is living tissue
Figure 3.19a
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Cartilage Tissue (3 types)
 Hyaline (Articular -glassy) Cartilage: covers and protects bones;
collagen fibers in a blue-white glossy material –Most Common (entire
fetus structure)
 Elastic Cartilage:
Flexible cartilage (ear & Epiglottis)
 Fibrocartilage: compressible; found in the spinal column between
vertebrae & meniscus
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Dense Connective Tissue
aka: Dense Fibrous Tissue
 Collagen fibers with fibroblasts (fiber forming cells).
Found in:
 Tendons: Attach skeletal muscle to Bone
 Ligaments: Connect bone to bone at joints
 Dermis: the lower layers in the skin
Dermis is
like your
HIDE
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Loose Connective Tissue
There are 3 types of LOOSE Connective
Tissue.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Connective Tissue Types
Areolar connective
tissue
 Most widely distributed
connective tissue –
Surrounds ORGANS
 Soft, pliable tissue
 Contains all fiber types
 Can soak up excess fluid
Figure 3.19e
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Connective Tissue Types
Adipose tissue
 Oil droplets take most of the cell’s volume (the
nucleus is pushed to the side)
 Forms the subcutaneous tissue found under the
skin (Hypodermis), on some organs (kidney, eye) &
stored in deposits (hips, breasts)
Functions
 Insulates the body
 Protects some organs
 Serves as a site of
fuel storage
Figure 3.19f
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Connective Tissue Types
Reticular
connective tissue
 Delicate network of
interwoven fibers
 Forms stroma (internal
supporting network) of
lymphoid organs
 Lymph nodes
 Spleen
 Bone marrow
Figure 3.19g
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Connective Tissue Types
Blood
 Blood cells surrounded by
fluid matrix
 Fibers are visible during
clotting
 Functions as the transport
vehicle for materials
Figure 3.19h
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings