connective tissue

Structural support matrix

Connective tissue is the body's structural material—the tissue that supports, binds, and separates other tissues and organs.

It includes bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and fat.

Blood is also technically connective tissue.

Figuratively, connective tissue links disparate elements: The essay lacks the connective tissue to hold its arguments together.

anatomy

collagen

Structural body protein

elastinProtein enabling tissue recoil
fasciaConnective tissue sheet
cartilageFlexible connective body tissue

tendon · ligament · fibroblast · chondrocyte · osteocyte · periosteum · stroma · dermis · adipose · areolar

function

support

To uphold or sustain

bindingLegally or morally required
scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
frameworkUnderlying support system

structure · stability · flexibility · elasticity · cushioning · insulation · protection · attachment · anchorage · integration

medical

inflammation

Protective tissue response

fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
scarringPermanent mark formation
adhesionState of clinging fast

rupture · degeneration · autoimmune · lupus · rheumatoid · scleroderma · scurvy · tendinitis · bursitis · herniation

metaphor

glue

Bonding substance

bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
linkPoint of connection
bondBinding tie or connection

thread · fabric · network · web · nexus · foundation · backbone · underpinning · cohesion · unity

Categories

portal triadportal vein, bile duct
musculoskeletalbone, bones, muscle, muscles, joint
tissuesadipose, bone, dense, elastic, epidermis
body tissuesmuscle, bone, cartilage, fat, blood
tenderizingtenderizer, mallet, meat mallet, meat tenderizer, pounding
kinesiologymuscles, bones, joints, tendons, flexion

Opposites

biological tissue type

connective tissuemuscle tissue

Contractile body material

nervous tissue · nerve tissue · neural tissue · epithelium · muscle

structural function

connective tissueparenchyma

Functional tissue of organs

Family

connect, tissue, connection, connected, connecting, disconnect, disconnected, unconnected, connector

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