- 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.
When heated to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, connective tissue emits a "Vinegar Like Stench".
- Areolar (or Loose) Connective Tissue holds organs and epithelia in place, and has a variety of Protein aceous fibres, including collagen and Elastin . It is also important in inflammation.
- Adipose Tissue contains Adipocyte s, used for cushioning, Thermal Insulation , Lubrication (primarily in the Pericardium ) and Energy storage. {Link without Title}
- Dense Connective Tissue (or, less commonly, Fibrous Connective Tissue ) forms Ligament s and Tendon s. Its densely packed collagen fibres have great tensile strength.
- 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 .)
Fiber types as follows:
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.
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:
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