Connective tissue:

Connective tissues are the major supporting tissue of the body. They bind different type of
tissue or cells together in an organ. They are mesodermal in origin. Connective tissue
constitutes about 30% of the body.

Structure of connective tissue:

A connective tissue is composed of three parts; cells, fibres and matrix

a. Cells: These are living component of tissue and are distributed in matrix. These are
offollowing types:
i. Fibroblast: They form fibres. They are spindle shaped with long protoplasmic
processes andoval nucleus.
ii. Macrophages/Histocytes: They are phagocytosis in nature. They are large
amoeboid shaped and engulf damaged cell tisssue by amoeboid movement.
iii. Mast cells: They are large oval shaped cell. They produce heparin and
histamine. Heparin prevents coagulation of blood while histamine causes
inflammation.
iv. Plasma cells: They are small round shaped or irregular cells produced by the
division of lymphocyte. They produce antibodies.
b. Fibres: These are non-living component of tissue and are widely distributed in
matrix. These are of following types:
i. Collagen or white fibres: They are long, unbranched, white fibres found in
bundles or groups. They are flexible but inelastic. They contain collagen
protein
ii. Elastic or Yellow fibres: They are long, branched, yellow fibres present
singly.They are flexible and elastic. They contain elastin protein
iii. Reticulate fibres: They are short, branched, thread like.They are
interconnected to form a network or reticular fibres. They contain reticulin
protein.
c. Matrix: These are non-living, transparent component of tissue. It maybe solid, semi-
solid or liquid that contain various organic and inorganic substances.

Types of connective tissue:

A. Connective tissue proper

B. Skeletal or Supportive Connective tissue
C. Fluid Connective tissue

A. Connective tissue proper:

It is made up of soft matrix. It consists of white collagen or yellow elastic fibres. It is of two
types;

a. Loose connective tissue

b. Dense connective tissue
a. Loose connective tissue: In this type of tissue number of fibres is less than that of number
of cell. It is of two types;

i. Areolar connective tissue

ii. Adipose connective tissue

i. Areolar connective tissue:

It is the simplest and most widely distributed connective tissue in the body. It consists of soft
matrix, fibres and cells. These tissue acts as supporting and packing tissues and help in
combating toxins released by pathogenic organism. It consists of following fibres and cells:

 White collagen fibres- madeup of collagen protein

 Yellow elastic fibres- madeup of elastin protein
 Fibrocytes: They form fibres. They are spindle shaped with long protoplasmic
processes and oval nucleus.
 Macrophages: They are phagocytosis in nature. They are large amoeboid shaped and
engulf damaged cell tisssue by amoeboid movement.
 Mast cells: They are large oval shaped cell. They produce heparin and histamine.
Heparin prevents coagulation of blood while histamine causes inflammation
 Plasma cells: They are small round shaped or irregular cells produced by the division
of lymphocyte. They produce antibodies.

Fig: Areolar tissue

ii. Adipose connective tissue:

 It is modified aerolar tissue which consists of large number of fat cells or adipocytes.
 Adipocytes consists of fat which push nucleus of the adipocytes in oneside or
periphery.
 Fibres are less or absent. Adipose tissue is found in the heart, below skin, kidney etc.
 It acts as insulating layer, fat reservoir.
 Fig: Adipose tissue

b. Dense connective tissue: In this type of tissue number of fibres is more than that of
number of cell. It is of two types;

i. White fibrous tissue(Tendon)

ii. Yellow elastic tissue(Ligament)
Tendon Ligament
It consists of thickly packed white collagen It consists of mainly yellow elastic fibres
fibres. and few white fibres.
White fibrous tissues are packed parallel to Yellow elastic fibres are scattered to form
one another to form tendons. ligament.
Matrix contains fibroblasts which are Matrix contains fibroblasts which are
arranged between the rows of the fibres. scattered in the matrix.
These tissues attach bones and muscles. These tissues attach bones to bones.
These tissues provide mechanical These tissues provide stretch and
protection against stretch. elasticity.

Fig: Tendon
 Fig: Ligament

2. Supportive or Skeletal connective tissues: These tissues form the endoskeleton of the
vertebrates. These tissues support the body and protect the internal delicate organs from
injury. It is of two types;

i. Cartilage
ii. Bone
i. Cartilage:

Cartilage is a soft skeletal tissue. Its matrix consists of protein called chondrin. The matrix
consists of oval small shaped cartilage cells called chondroblasts. These cells are scattered in
the matrix singly or in group and enclosed inside the fluid filled cavity lacunae. Cartilage
consists of thin and stiff membrane called perichondrium from which new chondrocytes are
produced.

Fig: Cartilage

Types of cartilage:

Hyalinecartilage: These cartilage are thin andflexible. It is found in end of ribs, nose, tracheal
rings.

Elastic cartilage: This cartilage is more flexible. It is found in external pinnae, epiglottis,
eustachian tubes, tip of nose
Fibro-cartilage: These tissues consist of white collagen fibres. It is found in mammalian
vertebrae and in public symphysis around joints.

Calcified cartilage: It is the formed when calciun is deposited in the matrix of hyaline
cartilage. It is very hard and stuff. It is found in the suprascapula of pectoral girdle, head of
humerus and femur

ii. Bone: Bone is a specialized connective tissue. It is hard due to the deposition of lime salts
(CaCO3). Its matrix consists of a protein called ossein and bone cells osteocytes.The study
of bone is called osteology and process of formation of bones is called ossification.

Types of bone: On the basis of matrix, bones are of two types; Compact and Spongy bone

Spongy bone Compact bone

It is present in the shaft of long bone It is present in the epiphysis or expanded end of
long appendicular bones.
It is filled with soft tisue called red bone It is filled with fatty tissue called yellow bone
marrow. marrow.
It lacks haversian system. It has numerous haversian system.

Structure of bone:A typical bone consists of following structures:

i. Periosteum: It is the outermost covering bone. It consists of undifferentiated bone

cells and white collagen fibres.
ii. Outer layer of osteoblast: It is located just below the periosteum. This layer
consists of flat connective cells that give rise to bone cells.
iii. Matrix: It covers the greater part of the bone. It consists of various concentric
layers callled lamellae. Each lamella has numerous small space called lacunae.
Each lacunae encloses only one bone cell or osteocyte. The outer layer and inner
layer of lamellae consists of immature bone cell called osteoblast which can
divide. But the middle layer consists of mature bone cells called osteocytes. Each
lacunae give off branching channels radiating in all directions called cannaliculi.
These cannaliculi form an interconnected system in matrix called Haversian
system.
iv. Endosteum: It is the thin layer covering the narrow cavity of bone.
v. Haversian system: It is the system which consists of lamellae arranged around
the central canal called Haversian canal. Each canal with lamallae and cannaliculi
together form an interconnected system in matrix called Haversian system. Many
haversian system are connected by the canal of Volkman in long bones.
Fig: Structure of typical bone