Histology

• • Cells (fibroblasts, immune, vascular)
• • Fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular)
• • Ground substance (glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, glycoproteins)

• • Ground substance
• • Structual glycoproteins
• • Basement membrane
• • Connective Tissue Fibers (Collagen, Elastic, Reticular)
• • Connective Tissue Cells (Fibroblasts, Adipocytes, Macrophages, Plasma cells, Mast cells)

ground substance with variety of fibers and structural glycoproteins that mediate adhesion of cells to the matrix

• • Extracellular semi-fluid material in connective tissue.
• • Composed of polysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans [GAGs]).
• Hyaluronic acid is the dominant polysaccharide.
• Others polysaccharides are linked to proteins to form proteoglycans.
• • GAGs are hydrophilic and attract water (extracellular fluid).
• • Mechanical properties of ground substance and extracellular fluid are reinforced by connective tissue fibers.
• (Its an empty spot in a microscope view)

• • Proteins bound to polysaccharides
• • Examples: fibronectin, laminin, tenascin
• • Functions include cell adhesion and role in extracellular matrix organization

• • Composed of extracellular matrix proteins. (Collagen type IV, fibronectin, laminin, entactin, and GAGs)
• • Interfaces connective tissue/parenchymal cells.
• • Provides support and adhesion of parenchymal cells.
• • Acts as a barrier and permeability filter
• • Maintains differentiated functions

Autoimmune where excessive collagen deposited throughout body. Possibly fatal

• Genetic defect where collagen is not assembled correctly/ Conversion of
• procollagen to mature collagen is blocked

• Collagen
• Elastic
• Reticular

• • Type 1: bone, skin, tendon, etc
• • Type 2: cartilage
• • Type 3: skin, vessels, reticular fibers
• • Type 4: basement membranes
• (1,2,3 form fibers - 4 is mesh)