Connective Tissue

Embryonic Connective Tissue gel-like ground substance containing fibers, star-shaped mesenchymal cells. It gives rise to all other connective tissue types 

Loose Connective Tissue, Areolar gel-like matrix with all three fiber types; cells: fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and some white blood cells. It wraps and cushions organs 

Loose Connective Tissue, Adipose matrix as in areolar, but very sparse; closely packed adipocytes, or fat cells, have nucellus pushed to the side by large fat droplets. It provides reserve food fuel; insulates against heat lose; supports and protects organs

Loose Connective Tissue, Reticular network of reticular fiber in a typical loose ground substance; reticular cells lie on the network. It provides fibers that form a soft internal skeleton (stoma) that supports other cell types including white blood cells, mast cells, and macrophages

Dense Connective Tissue, Dense Regular primarily parallel collagen fibers; a few elastin fibers; major cell type is the fibroblast. It attaches muscles to bones or to muscles; attaches bone to bon; withstands great tensile stress when pulling force is applied in one direction.

Dense Connective Tissue, Dense Irregular primarily irregularly arranged collagen fibers; some elastic fibers; major cell type is the fibroblast. It is able to withstand tension exerted in many directions; and provides structural strength 

Cartilage: Hyaline Amorphous but firm matrix; collagen fiber form an imperceptible network; chondroblasts produce the matrix and when mature (chondrocytes) lie in lacunae. it supports and reinforces; has resilient cushioning properties; resists compressive stress.