Specialized Connective Tissues
Chapter 4 (Marieb)
Cartilage
• 3 Types: hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage• All three are composed of chondrocytes• They differ based on their fiber composition
Hyaline Cartilage
• A rubbery type of cartilage• Contains more cartilage than elastic but less
than fibrocartilage• This is the human version of rubber• Found on the ends of long bones, the sternal
ends of the ribs, the larynx, trachea, bronchi
Hyaline Cartilage
http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/cchc.gif
Elastic Cartilage
• Contains chondrocytes• Similar to hyaline but has much more elastin• Found in the ear lobe, Eustachian tube, larynx,
epiglottis• This is the most flexible of the three types of
cartilage
Elastic Cartilage
http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/ccec3.GIF
Fibrocartilage
• Contains chondrocytes• Has the highest amount of collagen in the
ECM• Found in areas of the body that need to
withstand compressive force• Knee (menisci), intervertebral disks, pubic
symphysis
Fibrocartilage Transverse Section
http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cc/ccfts.gif
Bone
• The hardest and most highly specialized of all connective tissues
• Minerals mix within the ECM gels and cause this tissue to become hard
• Contains osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts• Functions: physical protection, mineral
storage, mineral homeostasis, pH balance, hematopoiesis
Compact Bone: Osteons
http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cb/cbgbhs.GIF
Blood
• Considered a connective tissue because of the mixing of plasma proteins and cells (cells and gels)
• Contains erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets
• Functions: gas transport, pH balance, nutrient transport, immunity, hemostasis
Erythrocytes & Neutrophil
http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/cbl/cbln.GIF