CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Connective tissue is composed of cells

surrounded by an extensive extracellular
matrix. There are a number of different
types of connective tissues that are
classified by the organization and
composition of the cellular components
and the extracellular matrix. The following
slides demonstrate and describe these
connective tissues and their components.

Basic Connective Tissue Types

The basic connective tissue types include
loose connective tissue, dense irregular
connective tissue and dense regular
connective tissue. These are classified
based on the relative density and
organization of the extracellular matrix
components. There are a number of cell
types that are resident to connective tissue.
These are described in subsequent slides.

 This shows a thin,

plastic section of loose
connective tissue from
the oviduct stained
with methylene blueazure II. This type of
connective tissue is
very cellular and has
few collagen fibers.
The large elongated
cell (arrow) is a
fibroblast with an oval
nucleus and much
euchromatin.

 This shows loose connective

tissue from the mammary
gland stained with
hematoxylin and eosin. The
loosely arranged collagen
fibers (arrows) are
acidophilic and lightly stained
in this picture. A mast cell
with a round nucleus is seen
(MC) with a considerable
amount of heterochromatin.
Eosinophilic secretory
granules fill the cytoplasm of
this cell.

MC

 This shows loose

fibrous connective
tissue similar to that
seen in the previous
slide. Another mast
cell (MC) is located
near the center of the
field. Thin, lightstaining collagen
fibers (arrows) are
seen in this picture.

MC

 This shows a spread (not a tissue

section) of a thin piece of
mesentery illustrating a different
view of loose connective tissue.
The large, dark-staining cells are
mast cells (MC) whose granules
obscure the nuclei. The largest
oval nuclei belong to mesothelial
cells (Me), that form an epithelium
on either side of the connective
tissue. The smaller, oval nuclei
belong to macrophages (Ma).
These cells tend to have
associated granular material in
their cytoplasm. Other ovalshaped nuclei seen here are
those of fibroblasts.

Ma

Me
MC

 This shows a
transmission electron
micrograph of a mast
cell illustrating
numerous dense
secretory granules in
the cytoplasm. Note
also the elongated
nucleus (Nu) with
abundant
heterochromatin.

Nu

 This shows another

plastic section of loose
connective tissue stained
with methylene blueazure II. A number of
fibroblasts are seen (Fi)
with oval euchromatic
nuclei. A monocyte (Mo)
is also seen with a darker,
indented nucleus. A
binucleate neutrophil (N)
and a macrophage (Ma)
with a small, light-staining
nucleus are also seen.

Mo
N

Fi

 This shows two plasma

cells (PC) located in the
loose connective tissue of
the mammary gland.
These cells have round,
eccentric nuclei with
slightly basophilic
cytoplasm (indicating the
presence of RNP). The
large, pale nucleus is that
of a fibroblast while the
darker nuclei are those of
fibrocytes.

PC

 This shows adipose

tissue stained with
hematoxylin and eosin.
The lipid in these fat cells
is dissolved out during
the fixation and
embedding process.
Only a thin rim of
cytoplasm and the
flattened nuclei (arrows)
are seen.

 This shows a
developing adipose
cell (arrow) stained
with hematoxylin and
eosin. Note the ring
of cytoplasm and the
rounded nucleus
surrounding a lipid
droplet. Acidophilic
collagen fibers are
seen around the cell.

 This shows adipose

cells preserved so
that the lipid is
retained in the cell
and stained with
osmic acid, hence the
really dark
appearance of the
cells.

 This shows loose

connective tissue (CT)
within a mucosal fold in
the gall bladder.
Numerous collagen fibers
and abundant cells can
be seen in the connective
tissue. The cells cannot
be readily identified at
this magnification. (What
type of epithelium is seen
here?)

CT

 This shows a section of

the spermatic cord
illustrating dense irregular
connective tissue. In
dense connective tissues,
the abundant collagen
fibers form interwoven
bands of tissue. In
contrast to loose
connective tissue, there
are relatively few cells
(mainly fibrocytes). On
the edges of the tissue is
a simple squamous
epithelium (Ep).

Ep

 This shows dense

irregular connective
tissue at higher
magnification than in the
previous slide. The
bundles of brownish
collagen fibers can be
seen coursing in different
directions and different
planes. A few thinner,
darker staining elastic
fibers can be seen in this
section (arrows).

 This shows dense elastic

tissue of the aorta at low
magnification. The thin
elastic fibers (stained
black) in the wall of the
aorta (arrows) form layers
separated by spaces.
The collagen fibers are
stained brown in this
section.

 This shows another

example of dense
irregular connective
tissue from the urinary
bladder at low
magnification. This
particular section has
more cells than the
previous example, but still
fewer than the loose
connective tissue seen
earlier. Most of the nuclei
belong to fibrocytes.

 This shows another

picture of dense
irregular connective
tissue from the
urinary bladder. Note
that the collagen
bundles in the top of
the field are more
organized than those
at the bottom.

 This shows a section of

the penis illustrating
dense regular connective
tissue stained with
hematoxylin and eosin.
Most of the collagen
fibers (pink staining) are
oriented parallel to each
other. The nuclei of
fibrocytes are present.

 This shows dense regular

connective tissue (CT)
from a ganglion. On the
left side of the field are
elongated nuclei of
nervous tissue (NT). The
remainder of the field is
occupied by dense
collagenous fibers with
few, flattened nuclei of
fibrocytes.

NT

CT

 This shows a transmission

electron micrograph of a
macrophage. The
nucleus (Nu) is
eccentrically located and
is relatively
heterochromatic. Note
the lysosomes/residual
bodies (R) in the
cytoplasm as well as
mitochondria, rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
Also, note the collagen
fibrils outside the cell (C).

Nu

 This shows a
transmission electron
micrograph of a
lymphocyte. Notice that
the nucleus (Nu)
occupies a large portion
of the cell, is indented
and has a fair amount of
heterochromatin. The
cytoplasm has only a few
organelles and the
plasma membrane tends
to be irregular due to
movement of the cell.

Nu

CARTILAGE
Cartilage is a specialized form of
connective tissue composed of cells called
chondrocytes and their surrounding
matrix. There are three types of cartilage
that are distinguished based on their
matrix characteristics.

 This shows a light

micrograph of hyaline
cartilage located in the
trachea. The pieces of
cartilage (HC) are
bordered by dense
regular connective tissue
of the perichondrium (P).
The cartilage cells or
chondrocytes (arrows)
are located in lacunae
(these are difficult to
discern at this
magnification).

HC

 This shows a portion of

the previous picture at
higher magnification
illustrating the
chondrocytes in lacunae
(arrows). The matrix
surrounding the cells is
composed of collagen
fibers (too small too be
seen here) and other
components including
glycosaminoglycans such
as chondroitin sulfate.

 This shows hyaline cartilage

(HC) from the nasal cavity
illustrating chondrocytes in
their lacunae and the
glassy appearance of the
surrounding matrix (purple
staining here). Note the
organization of the dense
regular connective tissue of
the perichondrium (P) as
compared to the irregular
dense connective tissue of
the surrounding connective
tissue (*).

HC
P
*

 This shows a higher

magnification of hyaline
cartilage from the
trachea. The
chondrocytes on the
right side of the field
are not as mature and
fill their lacunae (arrow)
while those of the left
have more space
surrounding the cell.

 This shows a section of

elastic cartilage stained
with a Verhoeff stain.
Identify the perichondrium
(P) surrounding the
cartilage. Note the
specifically stained elastic
fibers (arrows)
characteristic of this
cartilage type. Also
notice that the
chondrocytes and their
lacunae get larger as they
progress from the edge of
the cartilage towards its
center.

 This shows a higher

magnification view of
elastic cartilage. The
elastic fibers are more
clearly seen in this
picture as are the
chondrocytes and
their lacunae.

 This shows elastic

cartilage of the epiglottis
stained with a Trichrome
stain. Note that the
collagen of the
perichondrium (P) is
stained green; however,
the collagen type II within
the cartilage does not
stain. The elastic fibers
are stained purple
(arrows)

 This shows a light-stained

section of fibrocartilage.
The cartilage stains
acidophilic due to the
collagen fibers. Note that
the chondrocytes and
lacunae are small and
often have some regular
pattern to their
organization (in rows).
There is no
perichondrium associated
with this cartilage type.

 This shows a higher

magnification view of
fibrocartilage illustrating
the collagen fibers within
the matrix surrounding
the chondrocytes. This
type of cartilage is often
found between hyaline
cartilage and dense
connective tissue.

BONE
Bone is a specialized connective tissue
with a mineralized extracellular matrix.
Bone generally consists of three cell types
including the osteoprogenitor cells,
osteoblasts (osteocytes when
differeniated) and osteoclasts. The
following slides illustrate some of the
features of bony tissue.

 This shows a low

magnification view of the
end of a long bone.
Above the epiphyseal
plate (EP) is spongy
bone. The outer portion
of the shaft is compact
bone (CB), which is laid
down by appositional
growth from the
periosteum. The
compact bone surrounds
the spongy bone and
bone marrow of the shaft.

EP

CB

 This shows a crosssection of developing

bone from a fetal finger.
The outermost layer is
the connective tissue of
the periosteum (P).
Small pieces of calcified
cartilage are seen (blue
staining) as are
hypertrophying cartilage
(arrows).

Tendon

Spongy Bone
Developing
Compact Bone

 This shows a higher

magnification of the
previous slide
illustrating developing
bone.

Spongy Bone

Calcified Cartilage

 This shows red blood

cells (RBC) in the
bone marrow
bordering pieces of
calcified cartilage
(arrows). The
calcified cartilage
(blue) is covered with
osseous tissue (deep
pink staining).

RBC

 This shows a
scanning electron
micrograph of bone
surface. Note the
Haversian Canals
(HC), the concentric
lamellae surrounding
these and the lacunae
of the osteocytes
(arrows).

HC

 This shows a section

of decalcified bone.
The structural
features are similar to
that in the previous
slide illustrating the
Haversian system.

Haversian Canal

Osteocytes

 This shows a
transmission electron
micrograph of an
osteocyte surrounded
by its lacuna. The
processes extending
from the cell body are
located in canaliculi
(arrows). The matrix of
the bone surrounds the
canaliculi.

 This shows a section of

decalcified bone and
associated skeletal muscle
(SM). The skeletal muscle
is attached to the
connective tissue of the
periosteum (P). The large
space is due to shrinkage of
the periosteum during
processing of the tissue.
Small Haversian Canals
can be seen within the bone
(arrows).

SM

 This shows a section of

decalcified bone
illustrating the connective
tissue of the perioosteum
(P). Osteoblasts are
located along the inner
edge of the periosteum
(arrow). These cells will
deposit and become
entrapped in bony matrix
(appositional growth).

Compact Bone

 This shows another

section of decalcified
bone and associated
skeletal muscle (SM).
Note that the osteogenic
layer of the periosteum is
quite cellular (arrows)
with basophilic
osteoblasts located at the
periphery of the bone.

SM

 This shows bony tissue

(upper right corner) and
the dense irregular
connective tissue of the
periosteum (P). Note that
the indentation of the
periosteum into the bone
contains looser
connective tissue. Lining
the periosteum are
basophilic-stained
osteoblasts (Ob)

Ob
P

 This figure shows

decalcified bone (B)
and dense
connective tissue of
an associated
tendon (T) attaching
to the periosteum.

B
T

 This shows
decalcified bone
illustrating a
resorption canal
surrounded by the
bony tissue.
Osteoclasts (arrows)
can be seen lying
next to the bony
tissue.

 This illustrates bone

marrow (BM) adjacent
to inner circumferential
lamellae of bone. The
dark irregular areas
(arrows) are the original
calcified cartilage
indicating that this was
formed by
endochondral
ossification.

BM

 This illustrates bone

marrow (BM) and the
osteoblasts (Ob)
lining bone. The
Ob
osteoblasts extend
into the beginning of a
Volkmanns Canal
(VC), which carries
blood vessels into the
Haversian system.

BM

VC

 This schematic illustrates

the process of
intramembranous
ossification. Mesenchymal
cells form an elaborate
network (1). These cells
then enlarge and
differentiate into osteoblasts
(2). The cells lay down an
intercellular matrix an form
bony spicules (3) covered by
osteoblasts.

1
2

 This is a decalcified
section of the root of
a tooth and its
associated alveolar
bone (B). The root
of the tooth is
covered by
cementum (C) and
collagen fibers
which anchor the
tooth into the bony
tissue.

B
C

 This shows a high

voltage electron
micrograph of a
relatively thick plastic
section illustrating a
fibroblast (Fi) with
bundles of collagen
fibers attaching to the
cell surface (arrows).

Fi

 This shows another high

voltage electron
micrograph of collagen
fibrils (arrows) attaching
to a myocyte (M). The
very thin filaments are
glycoproteins in the
extracellular matrix while
the dense globular
material is proteoglycan
(blue arrows).

 This shows collagen

fibers attached to two
skeletal muscle cells
(SM) and a capillary
(C).

SM
SM

 This shows a
scanning electron
micrograph of a
fibroblast (Fi) within a
network of collagen
fibers.

Fi