Fibrous Connective Tissue

The fundamental role of connective tissue in the body is to maintain the shape of the body and its organs, as well as to give cohesion and internal support. Several forms of fibrous connective tissue make up fibrous connective tissue. They are made up of diverse substances with varied densities and cellularity. Fibrous connective tissue is mostly made up of cells that specialise in the creation and storage of lipids, which are energy-rich fat stores.

The fibres and amorphous matrix found in fibrous connective tissue also include mineral salts, which contribute to providing stiffness and resistance to the bones of the body. The rich intercellular material in this connective tissue gives it a solid firmness that is ideally fitted to facilitate smooth gliding movements between applied surfaces.

Fibrous Connective Tissue

Fibrous connective tissue is made up of elements such as collagen, protein, which we call fibrous connective tissue or FCT. The collagen present here provides high strength, slight stretchability to the tissue, as well as protein helps in providing strength and stability. Collagen and protein can be found throughout the human body. It helps in improving muscles, bones and skin.

There are also two other main components in fibrous connective tissue. Water and polysaccharides are two of the ingredients present. Apart from this, carbohydrates are also present here, which help in providing energy and support to the body. Fibrous connective tissue is primarily responsible for supporting bones and organs. 

Description of Fibrous Connective Tissue 

The cells of the fibrous connective tissue mainly consist of fibroblasts, macrophages, leukocytes, plasma cells, mast cells and adipocytes, which we can also see through the diagram above, as well as will be covered in further discussion;

Fibroblasts are the largest cells, mainly flat cells. Their main function is to produce the matrix. They are often found at the ends. After the production of the matrix, they also perish. There are also adipocytes in the form of large round cells, which are known as fat cells. It is mainly found in liquids such as triglycerides. They appear as small clusters in fibrous connective tissues.

Apart from this, there are also macrophages known as phagocytic cells, which are irregular in shape. It works to generate monocytes or stem cells. Their primary function is to consume and kill germs, foreign particles, and dead or dying bodily cells. It works to provide immunity to the body.

Mast cells are also found here as non-motile cells. They mainly detect foreign organisms. Leukocytes are also found here in the form of white blood cells, which circulate in the bloodstream, whose main job is to defend the body against bacteria, toxins and other foreign agents. Apart from this, the plasma cells present here play a major role in synthesising antibodies.

Types of Fibrous Connective Tissue 

There are mainly two types of fibrous connective tissue, which are found as loose connective tissue and dense connective tissue. These are described below as follows;

Loose Connective Tissue

They are found mostly on the lower surface of the tissue, where ground matter is found. There are special types of areolar tissue, reticular tissue and adipose tissue in loose connective tissue.

Areolar tissue

The areolar tissue has three main properties. It has a loose arrangement of fibres; it has abundant blood vessels and also contains a lot of ground matter. It contains collagenous as well as elastic and reticular fibres. Also, its fibres are found in random directions.

Areolar tissue is considered to be the main connective tissue of the body. It is mainly found under or around the visceral layers of the epithelium, surrounding blood vessels, nerves, oesophagus and trachea, fascia between muscles, pericardium and pleura. Its main function is to help the epithelium to become better tissue. At the same time, it provides immunity to the body.

Reticular tissue 

The reticular tissue mainly helps to form a network between fibres and fibroblasts. Here, mainly lymphocytes are found. Apart from this, they help in the formation of organs and tissues like lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and bone marrow.

Adipose tissue

Adipose tissue has a closely packed form of cells, but there is less presence of matrix. These adipocytes are considered a type of cell. It is found in the skin, breast, surface of the heart, mesentery and kidneys and under the eyes. Apart from providing energy to the body, it also provides thermal insulation, heat generation, and a protective shield for the organs.

Dense Connective Tissue

In dense connective tissues, many densely packed volumes of fibres are seen. At the same time, it also occupies more space, in which two types of tissues are found, dense regular and dense irregular connective tissue, whose details are given below;

The density of regular connective tissue

The density of regular connective types of tissue is mainly found in bundles, as well as the presence of collagen fibres in these tissues. Apart from this, fibroblast cells are also found in this tissue. They are mainly found between collagen fibres. The density of regular connective tissue is mainly found near tendons and ligaments. The presence of blood vessels can also be seen in the density of the regular connective tissue type.

The density of irregular connective tissue

Collagen is also found as thick bundles of fibres in dense irregular connective tissue. In these tissues, there is a lot of workspace for cells and ground matter. Along with this, collagen is also found in them, which helps in dealing with stress. These tissues help to build the dermis. At the same time, it helps in providing a protective shield to the main organs of the body, such as the kidney, testis and spleen.

Conclusion

Connective tissues are also primarily collagen, elastic, or reticular fibres, mainly due to the protein fibres found in them and some carbonic compounds. Collagen works to provide strength to the tissues. It protects the tissues from breaking or damage. Apart from this, the proteins present in it provide the facility to give them the original shape and return to the shape. Elastic fibres help provide flexibility to connective tissues, as well as thin strands of collagen that provide networks between organs and tissues.