connective tissues
Structural support matrix
Connective tissues are the body's structural materials that support, bind, and protect other tissues and organs.
This category includes bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, fat, and blood—diverse materials united by their function of connecting body parts to each other.
Unlike skin or muscle, connective tissues are characterized by cells dispersed within an extracellular matrix rather than packed tightly together.
The doctor explained that my knee pain was caused by damaged connective tissue.
Connective tissue sheet
- tendonsFibrous connective cords
- ligamentsTough tissue joining bones
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- joint capsuleFibrous envelope around articulations
mesentery · periosteum · bursae · stroma · basement membrane · dura mater · arachnoid · dermis
Structural body protein
- elastinProtein enabling tissue recoil
- fibroblastsCollagen-producing connective tissue cells
- ground substanceExtracellular amorphous material
- hyaluronic acidMoisture-retaining tissue sugar
osteoblasts · adipocytes · macrophages · triple helix · proline · amino acids · chondroitin sulfate
Tendency to resume original form
- tensile strengthResistance to pulling force
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- stretchPull to extend
recoil · extensibility · compliance · pliability · suppleness · load-bearing · shock absorption · cushioning
Vitamin C deficiency disease
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
- bursitisInflamed joint cushions
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
lupus · scleroderma · herniation · adhesions · sprains · tears · degeneration · inflammation
Biological self-repair process
- scar formationFibrous tissue replacing damaged skin
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- wound repairBody fixing itself
- inflammationProtective tissue response
remodeling · growth factors · cytokines · angiogenesis · proliferation · adhesion · grafting · scarring
fascia
Connective tissue sheet
- tendonsFibrous connective cords
- ligamentsTough tissue joining bones
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
joint capsule · mesentery · periosteum · bursae · stroma · basement membrane · dura mater · arachnoid · dermis · submucosa
collagen
Structural body protein
- elastinProtein enabling tissue recoil
- fibroblastsCollagen-producing connective tissue cells
- ground substanceExtracellular amorphous material
hyaluronic acid · osteoblasts · adipocytes · macrophages · triple helix · proline · amino acids · chondroitin sulfate
elasticity
Tendency to resume original form
- tensile strengthResistance to pulling force
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
stretch · recoil · extensibility · compliance · pliability · suppleness · load-bearing · shock absorption · cushioning · support
scurvy
Vitamin C deficiency disease
- arthritisInflamed joint disease
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
- bursitisInflamed joint cushions
fibrosis · lupus · scleroderma · herniation · adhesions · sprains · tears · degeneration · inflammation · hypermobility
regeneration
Biological self-repair process
- scar formationFibrous tissue replacing damaged skin
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- wound repairBody fixing itself
inflammation · remodeling · growth factors · cytokines · angiogenesis · proliferation · adhesion · grafting · scarring · keloid
connective tissuesmuscle tissue
Contractile body material
nervous tissue · neural tissue · nerve tissue · skeletal muscle · cardiac muscle