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Introduction:
In our human body, all our organs and body parts are functioning like an individual system. But they are all connected by a special type of tissue called as connective tissue. Thus, connective tissue connects all the body parts and helps the entire human body function as a single entity.
Example:
Bones are connected by a connective tissue called ligaments, and muscles are connected to bones using tendons (bone itself is a connective tissue), nutrients are transported to all parts of the body through the connective tissue blood.
Connective tissue arises from the mesoderm of the embryo. It is the most abundant and widely distributed tissue. These tissues are specialised to connect various body organ. It provides the structural frameworkand support to different tissue to form organs. There are three main components of the connective tissue, namely,
- Matrix
- Connective tissue
- Fibres
The connective tissue cells are loosely packed, living and embedded in an intercellular substance known as the matrix. The matrix can be jelly-like fluid, dense or rigid—the main bulk of the connective tissue forms by the matrix. The nature of the matrix determines the properties of the connective tissue. For example, it connects two or more bones, muscles to bones. Function:
- The connective tissue's major function is binding, supporting and packing together different organs of the body.
- It helps to prevent the organ from getting displaced by body movements.
Connective tissues are further classified into the following categories.
- Connective tissue proper (Areolar and Adipose tissue)
- Supportive connective tissue (Cartilage and Bone)
- Dense Connective tissue (Tendons and Ligaments)
- Fluid connective tissue (Blood and Lymph)
1. Connective tissue proper:
It has three types of fibres. It consist of collagen fibre , elastin fibre and fibroblast cells.
Connective tissue
- White fibres are the most widespread and made up ofcollagen, which gives flexibility and strength.
- Yellow fibres formed a network and made up of elastin, which is more elastic than collagen but not as strong as it.
- Fibroblasts cells are responsible for collagen production, which are the extracellular matrix's major components.
Areolar tissue:
It contains the cells and fibres that are loosely arranged in a semi-fluid ground substance matrix. Areolae are small spaces that are formed due to the fine threads crossing each other in every direction. These fine threads are the forms of the matrix.
Areolar tissue
It is a supporting and packing tissue found between the organs lying in the body cavity.
Location: Usually, it can be seen in the skin and muscles, around the blood vessels and nerves.
Function:
- This tissue matrix plays an essential role in the diffusion of oxygen and nutrients from small blood vessels.
- It helps in the repair of tissue after an injury and fixes skin to underlying tissues.
- It is a loose and cellular tissue, and it fills the space inside the organs.
- It help to joins the skin to muscles.
Adipose tissue:
Aggregation of adipocytes and fat cells forms the adipose tissues (Lipid-rich cells called adipocytes).
Adipose tissue
Shape :Spherical or oval adipose cells contains large droplets of fat.
Arrangement : They are arranged into lobules that are separated by the collagen and elastin fibres.
Location : It is situated below the skin of subcutaneous tissue between the internal organs such as the kidney and heart.
Function:
- The excess nutrients in the body are converted into fats and are stored in this tissue. Hence it is called a fat reservoir.
- It works as an insulator (A material or device used to prevent heat) due to fats' storage.
- They keep the visceral organs in position and act as shock absorbers around the eyeballs and kidneys.
Important!
Do you know
- The number of fat cells are completely depends on the individual.
- In obese adults, it is about \(60\) - \(100\) billion, while in the case of non-obese adults is \(30\) - \(50\) billion.
- Collagen fibres, elastin fibres and fibroblast cellsare the major components present inside the matrix.
Reference:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/408_Connective_Tissue.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Extracellular_Matrix_v1.001-labeled.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:409_Adipose_Tissue.jpg
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