Tissues: The Living Fabric

• Used to support organs– Elastic fibers• Long, thin, elastin fibers that stretch• Types of Connective Tissue• Connective tissue proper (excludes bone, cartilage and blood)• Two subclasses exist• Lose connective tissue– (Areolar tissue)• Found throughout the body acting as packing material between tissues– Adipose tissue• Stores fat– Reticular tissue• Found in the lymphatic system where it provides support to the cells of theimmune system• Dense connective tissue– Dense regular• Includes tendons and ligaments– Dense irregular• Found in skin, joint capsule and surrounding various organs• Cartilage– Properties are intermediate between dense connective tissue and bone– Primary cells are chondrocytes• Hyaline cartilage– Most common– Matrix has closely packed collagen fibers for strength and flexibility