AREOLAR (loose) CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Gel-like matrix with all three fiber types; cells include fibroblasts, phagocytes, some white blood cells, and others

Function:
Wraps and cushions organs, its phagocytes engulf bacteria, plays important role in
inflammation; holds and conveys tissue fluid

Location:
Widely distributed under epithelia of body; packages organs; surrounds capillaries

DENSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Primarily parallel collagen fibers; a few elastin fibers; major cell type is the fibroblast

Function:
Attaches muscles to bones or to muscles; attaches bones to bones; withstands great tensile stress when pulling force in applied in one direction

Location:
Tendons, most ligaments, aponeuroses

RETICULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Network of reticular fibers in a typical loose ground substance; reticular cells predominate

Function:
Fibers form a soft internet skeleton that supports other cell types

Location:
Lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen)

ADIPOSE TISSUE

Matrix as in areolar, but very sparse; closely packed adipocytes, have nucleus pushed to the side by large fat droplet

Function:
Provides reserve food fuel; insulates against heat loss; supports and protects organs

Location:
Under skin; around kidneys and eyeballs; within abdomen; in breasts

BONE OR OSSEOUS TISSUE

Hard, calcified matrix containing many collagen fibers; osteocytes lie in lacunae. Very well vascularized.

Function:
Bone supports and protects, provides levers for the muscles to act on; stores calcium and other minerals and fat; marrow inside bones is the site for blood cell formation

Location:
Bones

BLOOD

Is the specialized connective tissue within the circulatory system that transports blood cells and dissolved substances throughout the body via blood vessels. As all connective tissue, it has cellular and extracellular components.

Function:
Is a bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances, such as nutrients and oxygen, to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.

Location:
Blood vessels