CONNECTIVE TISSUES

GTU101/3 – Structure & Function of Human I

Dr. Hermizi Hapidin

School of Health Sciences (PPSK)
Health Campus
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Ext. No.: 7634

Email Add.: hermizi@usm.my
 Contents of the lecture:
1. Characteristics of connective tissue
2. Functions of connective tissue
3. Components of connective tissue
4. Classification of connective tissue
5. Light microscopic structure of cartilages
6. Light microscopic structure of bones
7. Light microscopic of ligaments, tendons, fasciae
and membranes
 TISSUE
Definition:
A group of similar cells that usually have the same embryological origin
and function together to carry out specialized activities

Epithelial tissue

Connective tissue

Muscle tissue
Nervous tissue

Levels of Body Organization

Four Basic Types of Tissue:

 Epithelial

 Connective

 Muscle

 Nerve
 responsible for coordinating
and controlling many body
holds everything together activities (brain, spinal cord
& nerves)

Muscle
tissue
* *
responsible for
body movement

cover organ surfaces

 CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 One of the four basic types of tissues of the body
 The most abundant tissue in the body
 Responsible for providing and maintaining form in the body
 Two main characteristics:
a) Large amount of intercellular substance
b) Developed from embryonic mesenchyme

a
CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Epithelial tissue

Connective
tissue

a
Characteristics of connective tissue
 It consists of two basic elements: cells and matrix
 It does not occur on body surface like epithelium
 It has nerve supply except for cartilage
 It is highly vascular except cartilage and tendons
 Matrix consists of fluid, semifluid, gelatinous or calcified
ground substance and protein fibers
-In blood, it is fluid
-In cartilage, it is firm but pliable
-In bone, it is harder and not pliable
Functions of Connective Tissue
1) form the structural framework for the body (bone,
cartilage)
2) transport nutrients and wastes (blood)
3) provide protection for vital organs (bone, cartilage,
adipose)
4) provide support and interconnection (tendons,
ligaments, capsules)
5) insulate, store energy and produce important cells of
blood and lymphatic tissues (adipose tissue, bone
marrow)
6) contribute to body defense and repair (blood, lymph)
COMPONENTS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 Three elements:
1) Cells
2) Fibers
Matrix
3) Ground substances

Macrophage
Eosinophil
Ground
substance
Fibroblast
Reticular
fiber Elastic
fiber
Adipocyte
Plasma cell
Collagen
fiber
Neutrophil
Blood vessel
Mast cell
1) Cells of Connective Tissue are:
a) Fibroblasts
b) Plasma cells
c) Macrophages or histiocytes
d) Mast cells
e) Adipocytes or fat cells
f) Leucocytes

Fibroblast

P = Plasma cell
a) Fibroblasts
 The most common cells
 Responsible for the synthesis of
extracellular matrix components
 Spindle-shaped or polyhedral cells
with tapering cytoplasmic process
 Two types of cell:
a) Fibroblast (active cell)
b) Fibrocyte (inactive cell)
 b) Plasma cells
 Ovoid cells with basophilic cytoplasm
 Responsible for synthesis of antibody and
provide immunity
 A few in number
 Nucleus is spherically and eccentrically placed
 Develop from WBSc (B Lymphocyte)
c) Macrophages

 Irregular shape cells with short

branching projections
 Develop from WBCs (monocytes)
 They engulf the bacteria and
cellular debris
d) Mast cells
 Large, ovoid cells with spherical
nucleus
 Cytoplasm filled with large and
intensively basophilic granules
 Abundant along blood vessels
 They produce histamine – increase
permeability of small blood vessels
e) Adipocytes or fat cells
 Spherical cells, but may appear polyhedral
or oval when crowded together
 The nucleus is flattened and located on the
periphery – signet ring appearance
 When they accumulate in large numbers,
they are called adipose tissue
 The major storage site for fat in the form
of triglycerides

Signet ring
 f) Leucocytes or White Blood Cells

 Not found in significant

numbers in normal connective
tissue
 Cells of the immune system
defending the body against
both infectious disease and
foreign materials
E = Eosinophil
 Five types:
P = Plasma cell
M = Macrophage a) Eosinophil
b) Basophil
c) Neutrophil
d) Lymphocyte
e) Monocyte
 2) Fibers of Connective Tissue
 They are present in the matrix and secreted by
fibroblasts
 Provide strength and support to the tissues
 Three types:
a) Collagen
b) Elastic
c) Reticular
a) Collagen Fibers
(Colla = glue)

 Most numerous fibers in

connective tissue
 They occur in bundles lying
parallel to one another
 Very strong, resistant to
pulling force and promote
flexibility
 Found in bone, cartilage,
tendon and ligaments
 b) Elastic Fibers

 Rubber-like fine fibers

 Smaller in diameter than collagen
fibers
 They branch and rejoin to form a
network within a tissue
 Consists of protein elastin
surrounded by glycoprotein
(fibrillin)
 Ability to be stretched & elastic
recoil
 Present in skin, blood vessel walls
(particularly aorta) and lung tissue

wavy elastic fibers

c) Reticular Fibers
 Extremely thin and form an
extensive network
 Provide support in walls of blood
vessels and form a network in
some tissues
 Can be found in spleen, lymph
nodes, red bone marrow and
smooth muscle
3) Ground substances of Connective Tissue
 Is a highly hydrated, colorless and transparent complex mixture
of macro-molecules
 It fills the space between cells and fibers of connective tissue
 It is amorphous and may be fluid, gel or solid
 It is produced by fibroblasts
 Formed mainly of three classes of components:
1. Glycosaminoglycans (acid mucopolysaccharides)
2. Proteoglicans
3. Multiadhesive glycoproteins
 Classification of Connective Tissue
CONNECTIVE TISSUES

Connective Tissue Proper Fluid Connective Tissue Supportive Connective Tissue

Loose Dense Blood Lymph Cartilage Bone

Areolar tissue Dense regular

Adipose tissue Dense irregular
Reticular tissue Elastic Embryonic Connective Tissue :
1) Mesenchyme
2) Mucous Connective Tissue
 1. Connective Tissue Proper

Loose CT Dense CT

Areolar tissue Reticular tissue Dense Dense

regular irregular
Adipose tissue
Elastic
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
A. Loose Connective Tissue (i. Areolar Tissue)
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
A. Loose Connective Tissue (ii. Adipose Tissue)
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
A. Loose Connective Tissue (iii. Reticular Tissue)
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
B. Dense Connective Tissue (i. Dense Regular CT)
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
B. Dense Connective Tissue (ii. Dense Irregular CT)
 1. Connective Tissue Proper
B. Dense Connective Tissue (iii. Elastic CT)

Description: Consists of predominantly of freely branching elastic fibers, fibroblast are present in spaces
between fibers
Location: Lung tissue, wall of elastic arteries, trachea, bronchial tubes, true vocal cords, suspensory
ligament of penis and ligaments between vertebrae
Function: Allows stretching of various organs
2. Fluid Connective Tissue

A. Blood B. Lymph
 2. Fluid Connective Tissue
A. Blood

Description: Consists of plasma and formed elements (RBCs, WBCs and platelets)
Location: Within blood vessels (arteries arterioles capillaries venules and veins) and within the
chambers of the heart
Function: Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide (RBC); carry on phagocytosis, involve in
allergic reaction and immune system responses (WBC); and clotting of blood (platelets)
 2. Fluid Connective Tissue
B. Lymph

 A fluid flowing in lymphatic vessels

(lim f = clear water)
 Lymphatic system, comprises of:
 A number of lymph vessels
 Structures and organs
containing lymphatic tissue
 Red bone marrow
 Its cellular component consist
chiefly of lymphocytes
 Engulfs foreign particles with
macrophages
 Found in tonsils, spleen, thymus,
lymph nodes, etc.
3. Supportive Connective Tissue

A. Cartilage
i. Hyaline cartilage
ii. Elastic cartilage
iii. Fibrocartilage
B. Bone
i. Compact or cortical bone
ii. Cancellous bone
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage

 Specialized form of connective tissue

 Consists of cells and an extensive extracellular matrix composed
of fibers and ground substances (gelatinous matrix)
 Types of cells:
a) Chondroblast - immature cartilage cell
b) Chondrocyte – mature cartilage cell
 Chondrocytes synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix – the
cells are located in matrix cavities called lacunae
 Essential for the development and growth of long bones
 Three types:
a) Hyaline
b) Elastic
c) Fibrocartilage
3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage (i. Hyaline)

Description (Hyaline cartilage) :

Consists of bluish-white, shiny ground
substance with fine collagen fibers and
numerous chondrocytes, most abundant
type of cartilage
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage (ii. Elastic)

Description: Consists of chondrocytes located in a threadlike network in elastic

fibers within the extracellular matrix
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage (iii. Fibrocartilage)

Description: Consists of chondrocytes scattered among bundles of collagen fibers

within the extracellular matrix
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage
Cell Elastic
Matrix nest Perichondrium Lacunae Chondrocytes Perichondrium fibers Lacunae Chondrocytes

a) Hyaline cartilage b) Elastic cartilage

Location: articular cartilage, costal Location: external ear & epiglottis

cartilage, trachea, larynx, fetal skeleton
3. Supportive Connective Tissue
A. Cartilage

Collagen
fibers Chondrocytes

c) Fibro cartilage
Location: pubic symphysis, menisci, and intervertebral discs
A. Cartilage
3. Supportive Connective Tissue
B. Bone

 Specialized type of connective tissue

 Composed of intercellular calcified
material (bone matrix) and cells
 Three types of bone cells:
a) Osteocytes – mature cell
b) Osteoblasts – immature cell
c) Osteoclast – bone resorption
 Two types of bone:
 Compact (cortical)
 Cancellous (spongy or trabecular)
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
B. Bone (Compact Bone)

Description: Consists of osteons (haversian systems) that contain lamellae, lacunae,

osteocytes, canaliculi and central (haversian) canals
Location: Make up various parts of bones of the body
Function: Support, protection, storage
 3. Supportive Connective Tissue
B. Bone (Cancellous or Spongy Bone)

Description: Consists of thin columns called trabeculae, spaces between trabeculae are filled
with red bone marrow
Location: Make up various parts of bones of the body
Function: Support, protection, storage
3. Supportive Connective Tissue
B. Bone
 TENDON & LIGAMENT
TENDON LIGAMENT
 Fibrous connective tissue  Fibrous tissue that connects
that usually connects bones to other bones
muscle to bone  E.g. Collateral ligament
 E.g. Biceps brachii tendon
 TENDON
LIGAMENT
A Tendon is a fibrous
connective tissue which A Ligament is a fibrous
attaches muscle to bone. connective tissue which
Tendons may also attach attaches bone to bone,
muscles to structures such as and usually serves to
the eyeball. A tendon serves hold structures together
to move the bone or structure. and keep them stable.

Tendons
 FASCIA
 A sheet or a band of fibrous tissue lies deep to the skin
or invests muscles and various body organs
 Surrounds muscles, bones, organs, nerves, blood
vessels and other structures
 The fasciae of the body can be divided into three types:
a) Superficial fascia
b) Deep fascia
c) Subserous fascia
Fasciae
 Membrane
 A layer of material which serves as a selective barrier
 Cover or line a part of the body
 Composed of epithelium and connective tissue
 Four types:
i. Mucous
ii. Serous
iii. Cutaneous
iv. Synovial
 Membranes
(Simple columnar epithelium)
Mucous membranes (mucosa)
= lines a body cavity that open
directly to the exterior – contain
lamina propria, e.g. digestive
(intestine), respiratory (trachea),
(Simple squamous epithelium)
urinary (UB), reprod. (vigina) tracts

Serous membranes (serosa) =

lines the internal body cavities and
(Stratified squamous epithelium) organs, e.g pleura, pericardium,
peritoneum
Cutaneous membranes = covers
the surface of the body – consists
of superficial portion called
epidermis and deeper portion called
dermis - skin
Synovial membranes = line
the cavities of freely movable
joints – line structures that do
not open to the exterior – knee
joint
Cartilage Disorder: Achondroplasia
A = Absence, Chondro = Cartilage, Plasia = Formation
Twin boys
 A rare genetic (inherited) bone growth disorder
 It causes abnormal or absent of cartilage formation
 Males and females are equally affected
 Most common form of short-limbed dwarfism
 Symptoms may include:
 Shortened arms, legs, and fingers with the upper arms and
thighs more shortened than the forearms and lower legs Normal Achondroplasia

 Large head size with prominent forehead

 Crowded or misaligned teeth
 Curved lower spine
 Abnormal curvature of the spine called kyphosis or lordosis
 Bowed lower legs
 Flat feet that are short and broad
 Poor muscle tone and loose joints