Types of Connective Tissue

Fall 2008Animal Growth & Development

ANSC 590Tarleton State University

Major Functions of Connective Tissue• Protective package • Support and bear weight• Mobility • Transmit force• Pathway for cell migration, ions, proteins,

metabolites, etc. • Structural barrier and immune response to

infection or invasion • Organ maintenance, defense, and repair• Wound healing • Storage

Collagen & Elastin Percentage Comparisons in Selected Connective

Tissues *

*Adapted from A.J. Baily & N. Light, 1989

4 Types of Connective Tissue

1. Loose

2. Dense

3. Adipose

4. Supportive

Loose Connective Tissue Characteristics

• Porous • Highly flexible yet strong• Relatively few collagen or elastin

fibers• Highly vascular• Many cells

Dense Connective Tissue Characteristics

• Many fibers• High in Collagen and Elastin• Very strong with little flexibility• Minimally vascular

Dense Connective TissueRegular vs. Irregular

• Regular has aligned fibers for maximal tensile strength. - i.e. tendons

• Irregular Dense Connective Tissue has a random lay of fibers to resist forces from many directions by always providing opposition. - i.e. skin

Adipose Connective Tissue Characteristics

• Specialized• Stores triglycerides• Stores energy • Insulates• Pliable• Cushions• Important for animal growth• Around critical organs• Highly vascular

Supportive Connective Tissue Characteristics

• Specialized• Matrix consists of hyaluronic acid,

chondroitin 4-sulfate, chodroitin 6-sulfate, keratin sulfate, and chondrocytes

• Minimally vascular so thin and layered

• Interstitial Growth occurs within the tissue by filling newly-formed lacunae then creating replacement lacunae.

• Appositional Growth occurs outside the tissue by forming new layers.

Supportive Connective Tissue Interstitial Growth

Appositional Growthvs.

Supportive Connective Tissue 3 Types of Cartilage

1. Hyaline Cartilage:• Many collagen fibrils - 40% of total weight of hyaline cartilage• Bluish-white• Resistant to constant pressure and friction – i.e. rigid rings of

trachea

2. Elastic Cartilage:• Much elastin with little collagen• Very flexible without gross rigidity – i.e. external ear

3. Fibrocartilage:• Mostly collagen• Very rigid with little or no flexibility – i.e. between pelvic bone &

pubis• Referred to as “Almost Bone”