Connective tissue is found everywhere in the body. Connective tissue is the most abundant of tissues in the human body, but amounts vary in different organs. For example the amount of connective tissue that is in skin in much greater than the amount that is found in the brain.
Connective tissue has many more functions than just connecting body parts. The main functions of connective tissue are as follows
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binding and support (bone & cartilage)
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protection (bone & cartilage)
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insulation (fat)
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transportation (blood)
Characteristics of connective tissue
Even though there is many different types of connective tissue in the body, they have certain common characteristics.
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Common origin - all connective tissues arise from mesenchyme
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Degrees of vascularity
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Extracellular matrix - connective tissues are composed mainly of nonliving extra cellular matrix. It is this matrix which allows connective tissues to bear weight.
Structural Elements of Connective Tissue
Connective tissues have three main elements.
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Ground Substance - an unstructured material that fills the space between the cells and contains the fibers. it is made of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans.
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Fibers - provide support to the connective tissue, there is three types of fibers. - collagen fibers - elastic fibers - reticular fibers
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Cells - each type of connective tissue has its own cell type.
