Connective Tissue Types

Mensenchyme is embryonic connective tissue. It is gel-like and contains star-shaped mesenchymal cells. It becomes all other types of connective tissues.

Loose connective tissues are areolar, adipose, and reticular tissues. They all have a gel-like matrix which contains other cell types. In areolar tissue there are fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and white blood cells. Adipose tissues contain adipocytes, or fat cells. Reticular tissue contains reticular cells and lymphocytes. It cushions and supports organs and other cell types, and provides reserve fuel.

Dense connective tissues are dense regular, dense irregular, and elastic tissues. The fibers in this type of connective tissue are predominate, and collagen fibers give it resistance to tension. It also contains fibroblasts. It attaches muscle to bone or bone to bone, and provides structural support.

Cartilage types are hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage. They differ in the stretch of their fibers. Cartilage is tough and flexible and doesn't stretch or compress. It lacks nerves and blood vessels. It contains collagen fibers and sometimes elastic fibers. Chondroblasts are the cells that grow cartilage. Cartilage supports, reinforces, cushions, and absorbs shock.

Bone, or osseous tissue, is hard and calcified with many collagen fibers. They are very vascular. They support and protect body structures, and also produce blood cells.

Blood develops from the mesenchyme. The blood cells are surrounded by blood plasma and the fibers are dissolved proteins used in blood clotting. Blood transports nutrients, oxygen, wastes, and other substances throughout the body.