Connective Tissue Histology

By

Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M. Phil)

Connective Tissue or supporting tissue

It is one of the basic tissues in our body. Consists of two basic elements: Cells (relatively fewer) Extra-cellular matrix or intercellular substance (more abundant)

Epithelium Vs connective tissue

True Connective Tissue Cells

True Connective Tissue Cells

Fibroblasts: Secrete both fibers and ground substance of the matrix (wandering cells) Macrophages: Phagocytes that develop from Monocytes (wandering or fixed) Plasma Cells: Antibody secreting cells that develop from B Lymphocytes (wandering) Mast Cells: Produce histamine that help dilate small blood vessels in reaction to injury (wandering) Adipocytes: Fat cells that store triglycerides, support, protect and insulate (fixed) Only loose areolar connective tissue contains all of the aforementioned cells.

Fibroblasts: Are active cells that synthesize all collagen, reticular, and elastic connective tissue fibers Synthesize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), proteoglycans, and glycoproteins of ground substance. Fibrocytes: Smaller than fibroblasts Inactive or resting connective tissue cells

Macrophages
Most numerous in loose connective tissue Ingest bacteria, dead cells, cell debris, and foreign matter Are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to lymphocytes for immunologic response Derived from circulating blood monocytes Called Kupfer cells in liver, osteoclasts in bone, histiocytes in the skin, and microglia in central nervous system

Lymphocytes
Most numerous in loose connective tissue of respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts Produce antibodies and kill virus-infected cells

Plasma Cells
Characterized by chromatin distributed in radial pattern in the nucleus (cart-wheel appearance) Derived from lymphocytes exposed to antigens Produce antibodies to destroy specific antigens

Mast Cells
Closely associated with blood vessel Found in skin, respiratory, and digestive system connective tissue Spherical cells with fine, regular basophilic granules Release histamine when exposed to allergens, causing allergic reactions

Extracellular matrix
Also called as intercellular substance Extracellular matrix = fibers + ground substance

Matrix Fibers
Collagen Fibers: Large fibers made of the protein collagen and are typically the most abundant fibers. Promote tissue flexibility. Elastic Fibers: Intermediate fibers made of the protein elastin. Branching fibers that allow for stretch and recoil Reticular Fibers: Small delicate, branched fibers that have same chemical composition of collagen. Forms structural framework for organs such as spleen and lymph nodes.

Collagen Fibers
Type I: found in skin, tendons, ligaments, fibrocartilage, and bone Type II: found in hyaline and elastic cartilage Type III: forms meshwork in liver, lymph node, spleen, and hemopoietic organs Type IV: found in basal lamina of basement membrane

Matrix Ground Substance

Hyaluronic Acid: heteropolysaccharides (GAGs) found in true or proper connective tissue. Chondroitin sulfate: Jellylike ground substance of cartilage, bone, skin an blood vessels. Other ground Substances: Dermatin sulfate, keratin sulfate, and adhesion proteins