Connective Tissue

Nature, Occurrence and Function

Tissues and organs in a body must be supported and held in position. This function is performed by connective tissue, which binds organs and tissues together. They are of four types.

Areolar Tissue

This consists of tendons and ligaments. Tendons are strong inelastic and connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic and connect bones to each other. This tissue has a matrix in which are scattered special cells and fibres which may be yellow or white. The special cells can engulf bacteria and prevent infection.

Adipose Tissue

These are fat cells. They are oval or rounded cells filled with fat droplets. This tissue is found below the skin and in the bone marrow. The function of this tissue is to store fat and conserve body heat.

Skeletal Tissue

This is a connective tissue in which the ground substance or matrix is composed of elastin, which is impregnated with salts of calcium and magnesium. Skeletal tissue is of two kinds, bone and cartilage.

Cartilage is softer than bone and does not contain the organic salts. Instead they have special cells, which gives strength to the tissue. Cartilage is found in joints and in the discs between vertebrae.

This tissue gives support and flexibility to body part.

Fluid Tissue

Blood

This consists of a fluid called plasma, which has red blood corpuscles (RBC), white blood corpuscles (WBC) and blood platelets. Blood circulates throughout the body in blood vessels. The blood transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones to tissues and organs.

Lymph

This is a straw coloured fluid similar to blood but does not have RBCs. Lymph flows in special vessels called lymph vessels. Its function is to form a defence system for the body.