Histology: Connective Tissue

Histology: Connective Tissue — Expert Guide

How it begins

Connective tissue (CT), also called connective tissue or supporting tissue, constitutes one of the four fundamental tissues of the animal organism, along with epithelial, muscular and nervous tissues. Its defining and differentiating feature is the relative abundance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in proportion to the cellular elements: unlike the epithelium—where cells predominate and the ECM is minimal—…

What it covers

1. Definition and Generalities
2. · Functions of Connective Tissue
3. Embryonic Origin
4. · The Mesenchyme
5. · The Neural Crest
6. Connective Tissue Cells
7. · Fibroblasts and Fibrocytes
8. · Macrophages
9. · Mast Cells (Mat Cells)
10. · Plasmocytes
11. · Adipocytes
12. · Adult Mesenchymal Cells (TC Stem Cells)
13. · Other Transient Cells
14. Connective Tissue Fibers
15. · Collagen Fibers: The Collagen Superfamily
16. · Reticular Fibers
17. · Elastic Fibers
18. Ground Substance (Amorphous Extracellular Matrix)
19. · Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans
20. · Adhesion Glycoproteins
21. · The Basal Membrane: Key Specialization
22. Connective Tissue Classification
23. Connective Tissue Proper
24. · Lax TC (Areolar)
25. · Dense CT
26. Specialized Connective Tissues
27. · Adipose Tissue
28. · Cartilaginous Tissue
29. · Bone Tissue
30. · Blood Tissue
31. · Lymphatic Tissue and Lymphoid Organs
32. · Elastic Tissue
33. Tissue Repair, Healing and Fibrosis
34. · Healing Phases
35. Systemic Connective Tissue Diseases
36. · Hereditary TC Dysplasias (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
37. Histological Techniques for the Study of CT