Histology

What are the functions of connective tissue?

• binds body tissues everywhere

• supports the body

• provides protection

• lines body cavities

Extracellular Matrix

• Non-living material that surrounds living cells

• Poor blood supply or are avascular

• The most abundant and widely distributed tissues

• Variations in blood supply

Ground Substance

• mostly water along with adhesion proteins and polysaccharide molecules

• hard matrix of calcium salts

• abundant collagen fibers

• produced by the cells

Types of fibers

• collagen (white)

• elastic (yellow)

• reticular

• protein

Osseous Tissue

• Blood

• Bone

• Cartilage

• Hyaline

Composed of...

• bone cells in lacunae

• hard matrix of calcium salts

• large number of collagen fibers

• rubbery matrix

Osseous tissue is used to protect and support the body.

• True

• False

What is the most common type of cartilage?

• Hyaline

• Elastic

• Fibrocartilage

Composed of rubbery matrix and an abundance of collagen fibers

• Elastic Cartilage

• Hyaline Cartilage

• Bone

• Fibrocartilage

What type of cartilage is found in your larynx?

• Elastic

• Hyaline

• Fibrocartilage