Human Anatomy
Connective Tissue Histology
Connective tissue histology for MBBS: cells, collagen and elastic fibres, ground substance and tissue types, mapped to NMC codes AN66.1 and AN66.2.
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Connective Tissue Histology
Connective tissue histology for MBBS: cells, collagen and elastic fibres, ground substance and tissue types, mapped to NMC codes AN66.1 and AN66.2.
This chapter describes the cells, fibres and ground substance of connective tissue and classifies the tissue by fibre arrangement and density. It correlates structure with function in tendons, dermis, adipose and reticular tissue.
High-yield: Connective Tissue Histology
- Connective tissue consists of cells scattered in an abundant extracellular matrix of fibres and ground substance.
- The three fibre types are collagen for tensile strength, elastic fibres for recoil and reticular fibres for support.
- The fibroblast is the principal resident cell and synthesises the fibres and ground substance.
- Macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells and adipocytes are also found in connective tissue.
- Loose areolar connective tissue fills spaces beneath epithelia and around vessels and nerves.
- Dense regular connective tissue, with parallel collagen bundles, forms tendons and ligaments.
- Dense irregular connective tissue, with interwoven fibres, forms the dermis and organ capsules.
- Adipose tissue stores energy, insulates and cushions, and is white or brown in type.
- Reticular connective tissue forms the supporting framework of lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow.
- Collagen is the most abundant protein of the body and type one collagen predominates in tendon, bone and skin.
- Type two collagen is found in hyaline and elastic cartilage, and type three, the reticular fibre, is found in loose tissue and organs.
- Type four collagen forms a meshwork in the basement membrane rather than fibrils.
- Elastic fibres are made of elastin and fibrillin, and defective fibrillin causes Marfan syndrome.
- Vitamin C is needed for the hydroxylation of collagen, so its deficiency causes scurvy with poor wound healing.
- The ground substance is a hydrated gel of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans that resists compression.
Connective tissue fibres and collagen types
- **Collagen fibres:** Tensile strength. Type one in tendon, bone and skin; the most abundant body protein.
- **Elastic fibres:** Recoil. Elastin and fibrillin. Defective fibrillin underlies Marfan syndrome.
- **Reticular fibres:** Type three collagen; form the framework of lymphoid organs and bone marrow.
- **Cells:** Fibroblast is the main producer; macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells and adipocytes are also present.
NMC competencies in this chapter
- **AN66.1:** Types of connective tissue with functional correlation
- **AN66.2:** Ultrastructure of connective tissue
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three fibre types in connective tissue?
Collagen fibres for tensile strength, elastic fibres for recoil and reticular fibres for a delicate supporting framework. Their proportions vary with the type of tissue.
How do dense regular and irregular connective tissue differ?
Dense regular connective tissue has collagen bundles arranged in parallel, as in tendons and ligaments. Dense irregular connective tissue has fibres running in many directions, as in the dermis and organ capsules.
Why does vitamin C deficiency affect connective tissue?
Vitamin C is required to hydroxylate proline and lysine during collagen synthesis. Without it collagen is weak, leading to scurvy with bleeding gums and poor wound healing.
What is the ground substance?
It is the amorphous, hydrated component of the matrix, made of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. It fills the space between cells and fibres and resists compression.
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