TYPES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE
The connective tissue performs a wide variety of functions in the body. Consequently, several types and subtypes of connective tissue exist, all having the same basic characteristics: cells of mesenchymal origin surrounded by an extracellular matrix of complex composition.
Types of cnnective tissue:
1- Connective tissue proper
This is the most common type of connective tissue and is distributed in the entire body in diverse amounts in different places.
This type and its subtypes will be shown starting on the next page.
2- Specialized connective tissues
This group includes various subtypes characterized by the special composition and arrangements of their extracellular matrix:
Mucous tissue – in the umbilical cord.
Elastic tissue – in the wall of the aorta, penile ligament, and nuchal ligament of cattle.
Adipose tissue – formed by adipocytes. It will be studied in Chapter 5.
Reticular tissue, also called lymphoid or hematopoietic tissue – will be having in Chapter 12.
3- Supporting connective tissues
Cartilage – will be studied in Chapter 6.
Bone – will be studied in Chapter 7.
4- Blood
It is considered by many authors to be a type of connective tissue in which the extracellular matrix is liquid. It will be studied in Chapter 10.
5- Hemopoietic tissue
6- Lymphoid tissue