Connective Tissue (CT)Found everywhere in the bodyProtect, support and bind structures

togetherFill spaces, store fat, produce blood

cellsHave extracellular matrix = non living

substance found outside of cells

MatrixProduced by CT cellsVary from fluid to rock hard substancesHelps this tissue to bear weight and

withstand stretchingContains various amounts of fibers:

-1) collagen (white and strong)

2) Elastic fibers (yellow and stretchy)3) Reticular (fine fibers)

Loose CT (Areolar)Delicate, cob-webbyPacking tissue and glueSurrounds organs and found directly

beneath skin

Dense CT (Fibrous)Lots of white fibers (white in color)Found in ligaments (connect bones to

bones)Found in tendons (connect muscles to

bones)Poor blood supply causing slow healing “Whites” of our eyes

Adipose CT (fat)Cells contain large vacuole with droplet

of fat (cells become swollen and nucleus pushed to one side)

Protects by padding organsServes as an insulator Is a reserve supply of energy

Osseous CT (bone)Rocklike hardness from matrix plus

calcium salts that separate bone cellsSupport, protect, framework

Cartilage CTTough, yet flexible3 types:Hyaline-glassy, blue-white appearance;

most common, found at ends of bones, tip of nose, tracheal rings, & connect ribs to breastbone

Cartilage continuedFibrocartilage – highly compressible &

forms disks between backboneElastic – outer ear and part of larynx

Vascular CT (blood)Has living cells in a fluid matrix called

plasmaCells are red blood cells, white blood

cells, and platelets (clot)

Muscle TissueSpecialized to contract or shorten to

move things3 types of muscle tissue

(1) Skeletal MuscleAttached to bonesContract voluntarilyLong, cylindrical, multinucleate cellsHave striations or a banded appearance

(2) Cardiac MuscleFound only in the heartContract and pump heartContract involuntarilyHas striations but are uninucleateShort, branching cells that fit together at

thick junctions called intercalated disks

(3) Smooth MuscleMake up organs like stomach, bladderNo striations (look smooth)Uninucleate and are spindle-shapedContract involuntary

Nervous TissueMake up the brain, spinal cord and

nervesCells are called neuronsConduct electrical impulses from one

part of the body to anotherCytoplasm is drawn out into long

extensions to speed up impulses