Connective tissue

Most important and abundant long-lived CT cells; make CT fibers and ground substance; proliferate in wound healing process, making scar tissue

2 forms of adipocytes

Also called histiocytes; have an abundant “foamy” cytoplasm; essentially perform the “janitor” work

Contain many secretory granules that are basophilic; important in the allergic and inflammation response; metachromatic

“Activated” B lymphocytes that secrete large amounts of antibodies; very numerous in mucosa CT of the gut

Stem cells in CT that have to potential to differentiate into nearly all CT cell’s; very rare in adult tissues; “star-shaped”

3 types of CT fibers

“White fibers”

Function: high tensile strength;

Acidophilic

Types of collagen fibers

The most predominant type of collagen in CT proper

These type of collagen fibers are found in cartilage

Form a delicate network for highly cellular tissues (lymphoid tissues, spleen, bone marrow, etc.)

Reticular fibers need to be stained with silver stains in order to be visualized, thus they are called ___

“Yellow fibers”

Elastic fibers require which kind of stain?

How to classify CTs (i.e., what are the 3 criteria used to classify CT?)

this type of CT is found in the deep dermis of the skin, non-lactating breasts, and organ capsules

this type of CT is found in tendons and ligaments (minus elastic ligaments)