Histology of Soft Connective Tissue Flashcards Preview

Dentistry Biological Science > Histology of Soft Connective Tissue > Flashcards

Flashcards in Histology of Soft Connective Tissue Deck (18)
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1
Q

Describe what is meant by connective tissue

A

Consists of cells embedded in an extracellular matrix. The matrix varies in composition depending on function

2
Q

List the structures in and around connective tissue from outside to inside

A

Above connective tissue is epithelium and basal lamina. In the connective tissue is collagen fiber, macrophages, capillaries, mast cells, fibroblasts, glycoproteins

3
Q

What makes up the majority of the extracellular matrix?

A

Proteoglycans

4
Q

What are the functions of soft connective tissue? (5)

A
  1. Space filler and mechanical support
  2. Attachment and protection
  3. Highway for nutrients
  4. Storage - fat and calcium
  5. Site of immunological defence
5
Q

What are the 5 types of soft connective tissue and describe each?

A
  1. Mesenchyme = embryonic
  2. Loose (areolar) = mesentery, under dermis
  3. Dense = tendon, dermis, capsules
  4. Reticular = bone marrow, lymph nodes
  5. Adipose = fat cells
6
Q

What are the 3 major proteins in the extracellular matrix?

A

Collagen for strength, elastin for elasticity and adhesive proteins for attachment of proteins to cells

7
Q

What does collagen form in the extracellular matrix?

A

It forms fibrils

8
Q

What are type 1, 2 and 3 collagen for?

A

1 is for skin, bone, tendons, dentine. 2 is for cartilage and 3 is for blood vessels and skin

9
Q

What protein cross links cells of the connective tissue to extracellular matrix?

A

Integrins

10
Q

What are major extracellular matrix that integrins bind cells to called?

A

Fibronectin & Collagen, Tenascin and Laminin

11
Q

What are GAG’s synthesised as?

A

Proteoglycans

12
Q

What does the basal lamina (basement membrane) separate?

A

The connective tissue from the epithelial cell layer. It is a physical barrier maintaining cell integrity.

13
Q

What is the structure of all GAG’s?

A

70-200 sugar polymers formed of a repeating disaccharide subunit.

14
Q

Give 4 properties of GAG’s

A
  1. Sugar chains are too stiff to fold into compact structures
  2. Strongly hydrophilic
  3. Tend to adopt highly extended shaped occupying a large volume
  4. Water sucked into the matrix by osmotically active ‘ion cloud’ due to all those negative charges
15
Q

What is the job of GAG’s?

A

Water creates swelling pressure (turgor) and this enables extracellular matrix to withstand compressive forces.

16
Q

What are the two types of connective tissue called?

A
  1. Indigenous (permanent residents)

2. Immigrant (immune system cells which come in and out depending on the state of the body)

17
Q

What are 3 examples of indigenous cells?

A
1 = Fibroblasts to produce extracellular matrix
2 = Adipocytes which store fat and leptin secretion
3 = Mast cells for histamine secretion
18
Q

What stem cells give rise to indigenous cells?

A

Mesenchymal cells

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