CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Mesodermal origin Generally contain blood and lymphatic vessels Composed mainly of intercellular elements Classified mostly according to nonliving components

Functions

Provide and maintain form in the body Provide a matrix that connects and binds the cells and organs

Mediate the exchange of nutrients, metabolites and waste products between tissues and circulatory system

Reservoir for hormones controlling cell growth and differentiation responsible for providing and maintaining the form of organs Composition: The Extracellular Matrix

1. Fibers a. Collagen most abundant protein in the human body, representing 30% of its dry weight Occur as bundles of nonelastic fibers of varied thickness (2-10 m) Very high tensile strength Subunits: tropocollagen molecules

Collagen Types 1. Collagen that form long fibrils types I, II, III, V, and XI type I most abundant; widespread distribution form bones, dentin, tendons, organ capsules, and dermis

2.

Fibril-associated collagen short structures that bind collagen fibrils to one another and to other components of the extracellular matrix types IX, XII, and XIV

3.

Collagens that form networks type IV collagen, assemble in a meshwork that constitutes the structural component of the basal lamina Anchoring collagen type VII collagen present in the anchoring fibrils bind collagen fibers to the basal lamina

4. Collagen that form anchoring fibrils

b. Reticular Thin, branching, carbohydrate-coated fibers Diameter: 0.5-2.0 m Composed of type III collagen

Form networks around smooth muscles, certain epithelial cells, adipocytes, nerve fibers and blood vessels Constitute the structural framework of certain organs, e.g. liver, spleen Argyrophilic - stains black by impregnation with silver salts Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive

c. Elastic

May be stretched to about 150% of resting length without breaking Composed of elastin surrounded by a microfibrillar component Found in regions of the body that require considerable flexibility and elasticity Branch and anastomose Unstained Stains blue to black with orcein Diameter: 1 m Very supple (reverts back to original size when stretched) Insoluble protein Ligamentum flava, extracellular spaces of elastic cartilage Not widely distributed

2. Amorphous ground substance

Gel-like matrix in which fibers and cells are embedded and through which tissue fluid diffuses
Composed mainly of water; highly hydrophilic Composed of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins o Proteoglycans are covalently linked to hyaluronic acid, forming aggrecan aggregates, which are responsible for the gel state of the extracellular matrix

imparts strength and rigidity to the matrix by binding to receptor proteins (integrins) on the surface
of cells and to the other matrix components 3. Tissue Fluid Composition: The Cells 1. Fibroblasts

 Predominant cell type

Originate locally from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells

Responsible for the synthesis of collagen, elastic and reticular fibers

Involved in the production of growth factors

Synthesize Collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and multiadhesive glycoproteins Responsible for synthesis of extracellular matrix components active cell

large, pale staining with fine chromatin, ovoid nucleus quiescent cell
Rich in RER and Golgi Complex Fibrocytes o resting (or inactive fibroblasts) cells o smaller than the active fibroblast and tends to be spindle shaped o has fewer processes o smaller, darker, elongated nucleus o acidophilic cytoplasm o small amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum

2. Macrophages Derived from monocytes in bone marrow Migrate to the CT to phagocytose foreign particulate matter Participate in enhancing the immunologic activities of lymphocytes

Characterized by an irregular surface with pleats, protrusions, and indentations, a morphological

expression of their active pinocytotic and phagocytic activities

Have a well-developed Golgi complex, many lysosomes, and a prominent rough endoplasmic
reticulum Becomes Epitheloid cells or multinuclear giant cells upon stimulation Phagocytose cell debris, abnormal extracellular matrix elements, neoplastic cells, bacteria and inert elements that penetrate the organism Measures between 10 and 30 micrometer Oval or kidney-shaped nucleus Mononuclear Phagocyte System o Macrophage which are distributed throughout the body, are present in most organs Distribution and Main Functions of the Cells of the Mononuclear Phagocyte System.
Cell Type Monocyte Location Blood Main Function Precursor of macrophages

Macrophage

Connective tissue, lymphoid organs, lungs, bone marrow Liver Nerve tissue of CNS Skin Lymph nodes Bone (Fusion of several macrophages) Connective tissue (fusion of several macrophages)

Kupffer Cell Microglia Cell Langerhans Cell Dendritic Cell Osteoclast Multinuclear giant cell

Production of cytokines, chemotactic factors, and several other molecules that participate in inflammation (defense), antigen processing and presentation Same as macrophages Same as macrophages Antigen processing and presentation Antigen processing and presentation Digestion of bone Segregation and digestion of foreign bodies

3. Plasma Cells

Large, ovoid cells that have a basophilic cytoplasm due to their richness in rough endoplasmic
reticulum

Nucleus is spherical and eccentrically placed, containing compact, coarse heterochromatin Major cell type present during chronic inflammation
Derived from subpopulation of lymphocytes Responsible for the synthesis and release of humoral antibodies Lifespan: 10-20 days 4. Mast Cells

Oval to round connective tissue cells, 1013 m in diameter cytoplasm is filled with basophilic secretory granules Centrally-located small, spherical nucleus Originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow Usually observed in the vicinity of small blood vessels House numerous metachromatic granules containing histamine (smooth muscle contractant) and heparin (anticoagulant) resulting to color change of basic aniline dyes, e.g. toluidine blue Release eosinophilic chemotactic agent and leukotrine May become degranulated in sensitized individuals due to immunoglobulins on the surface resulting to anaphylactic reactions

Storage of chemical mediators of the inflammatory response

Surface contains specific receptors for IgE. Connective tissue mast cell- is found in the skin and peritoneal cavity, ( has heparin)

Mucous mast cell- is present in the connective tissue of intestinal mucosa and in the lungs (has
chondrotin Sulfate). 5. Reticular Cells Specialized fibroblast Abundant in hemapoeietic tissue, lymphoid organs and liver Possess long cytoplasmic processes Stellar-shaped

6. Adipocytes Form small clusters in loose CT

Store lipids and form adipose tissue, which protects, insulates, and cushions organs are derived from primitive mesenchyme where they develop as lipoblasts
7. Leukocytes

Transient cells of connective tissue

Leave the bloodstream and enter the CT spaces

Diapedesis migration through the walls of capillaries and postcapillary venules from the blood to
connective tissues

EMBRYONIC CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Mesenchymal Connective Tissue Consists of mesenchymal cells and fine reticular fibers interspersed in semifluid matrix of ground substance oval nucleus with prominent nucleoli and fine chromatin develops mainly from the mesoderm Mucous Connective Tissue More viscous Contains collagen bundles and fibroblasts Found deep to the fetal skin and in the umbilical cord Whartons jelly

CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER

Loose Connective Tissue Widely distributed supports many structures that are normally under pressure and low friction

 fills spaces between groups of muscle cells, supports epithelial tissue, and forms a layer that sheathes the lymphatic and blood vessels Constitutes much of the superficial fascia Invests neurovascular bundles Amorphous, watery tissue Hypodermis, tunica adventitia, lamina propria, submucosa of digestive, respiratory and urogenital tract Predominant resident: fibroblast Well vascularised, flexible and not very resistant to stress

It is more abundant than dense connective tissue. Reticular Connective Tissue

Consists mostly of network of branched reticular fibers (type III collagen). Forms the structural framework of bone marrow and many lymphoid structures specialized loose connective tissue consisting of reticular fibers intimally associated with specialized fibroblasts called reticular cells invests liver sinusoids, smooth muscle cells and fat cells and forms the stroma of lymphatic organs, bone marrow and endocrine glands. Forms the recticular lamina of basement membranes Elastic Connective Tissue composed of bundles of thick, parallel elastic fibers fibroblast

ligamentum flava, suspensory ligaments of penis composed of coarse, branching elastic fibers with a sparse network of collagen fibers and some fibroblasts filling the interstitial spaces. present in the dermis, lungs, elastic cartilage, and elastic ligaments as well as in large (conducting) blood vessels, where it forms fenestrated sheaths. Adipose Tissue

1. 2.

Composed of fat cells, reticular fibers and vascular supply Acts as depot for fat, thermal insulator, shock absorber Yellow adipose tissue Single fat vacuole Brown adipose tissue Large number of mitochondria Present in newborns Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Consists of coarse, almost haphazardly arranged bundles of collagen fibers interlaced with elastic and reticular fibers Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells Lymph nodes, liver, spleen, testis, sheath of large nerves, periosteum, dura mater Contains fiber bundles that have no definite orientation.

This tissue is the characteristics of of the dermis and capsules of many organs. Dense Regular Connective Tissue

May be composed of thick, parallel arrays of collagenous fibers (tendons, ligaments) or of parallel bundles of elastic fibers (ligamentum nuchae, ligamentum flava, suspensory ligament of penis) Fibroblast Contains fiber bundles and attenuated fibroblasts that are arranged in a uniform parallel fashion Answers to Histology Quiz No. 1

1. Metaphase or prometaphase
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Off-centered Cross section Acidophilic Cytoplasm Goblet cell

7. Mucous secreting gland

8. Simple branched acinar gland 9. Stereocilia 10. Skin of palms and soles

IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING UNDER MICROSCOPE

1. Fibroblast flattened cells with an oval nucleus, sparse chromatin, and one or two nucleoli. 2. Macrophage usually appears round, with irregular cell outlines; may exhibit small nucleus that is rich
in chromatin and cytoplasm that is filled with dense, ingested particles.

3. Fat cell- appears empty, with a thin rim of cytoplasm and peripherally displaced flat nuclei. 4. Eosinophil red staining granules 5. Pigment cell seen in the epithelial tissue. Eg. Melanin
6. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cell centrally placed nucleus and a cytoplasm filled with fine, closely packed granules that stain dense or deep red with neutral red stain.

7. Mast cell appear as single or grouped cells along small blood vessels; usually ovoid, with a small, 8. Reticular fibers - very thin and delicate woven strand 9. Collagenous fiber- thickest, largest and most numerous fibers.