Connective Tissue (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what connective tissue is and how it is classified. Also, what are the various functions of these tissues.

What is connective tissue?

It is known as connective tissue or connective tissue. diverse set of organic tissues that fill, support and connect the body that is, it connects, separates and sustains the various organ systems that make up the body of living beings.

connective tissue It is generally fibrous (collagen, elastin and reticulin fibers) as well as a matrix of variable consistency composed of water, mineral salts, polypeptides and complex sugars. Connective tissue cells are usually quite separated from each other, and may or may not be endowed with specific functions, such as the generation of enzymes, defensive cells or other regulatory substances.

In general, we speak of connective tissue (in the singular) to refer to the set of all connective tissues, whatever they are which share structural and functional similarities. Blood is a very particular case of liquid matrix connective tissue, too, although it may not seem like it.

Types of connective tissue

Loose connective tissue has a high cell content.

Connective tissue is classified according to its specialized functions, as follows:

Specialized connective tissue Those connective tissues endowed with unique and particular functions. They are divided into:
- Loose connective tissue It has a high content of cells and extracellular components of the matrix, much more abundant than the fibrous content. In turn, it can be of the following types:
  - Mucous connective tissue An amorphous fundamental substance predominates, composed of hyaluronic acid and has a moderate cellular abundance. It is rare in adults, but abundant in the umbilical cord and in lesser quantities in the pulp of the teeth.
  - Reticular connective tissue It presents argyrophilic reticular fibers, composed of collagen, forming a network-like network. This is how, for example, the stoma of the bone marrow, the spleen, and the parenchyma are made up.
  - Mesenchymal connective tissue It is the tissue that makes up the embryonic mesenchyme, they are rich in mesenchymal cells from which the specific cells of each tissue come.
- Dense or fibrous connective tissue In which the fibers predominate above the cells, and which is in turn classified as:
  - Regular dense connective tissue The one that forms the tendons, ligaments and other fibers that support traction and are therefore arranged in the same direction, parallel to each other to achieve greater strength.
  - Irregular dense connective tissue Made of randomly arranged collagen fibers and little fundamental substance, it provides protection against the stretching of the organs, which is why it can be found in the capsule of each of them.
Non-specialized connective tissue These are support and connection tissues that do not fulfill other specific functions, but rather fill the body. They are classified according to their nature into:
- Adipose tissue Composed mainly of lipids and/or fats.
- cartilaginous tissue Composed of cartilage, an elastic substance that acts as a cushion between the bones.
- bone tissue Composed of the mineralized tissues we call bone.
- Lymphatic tissue The one that makes up the lymphatic system, connecting the glands and serving as transport for the body's defenses.
- Blood tissue Blood and the cells that make it up.

Connective tissue functions

The primary function of connective tissue is that of the systemic integration of the organism, that is, provide support, cohesion, separation and serve as a logistical means of communication to the bodies and different systems that make up the body. For example, they support and separate the organs in the abdominal cavity, while allowing the distribution of vascular and nervous structures among them.

On the other hand, specialized connective tissues also have hematopoietic, lymphoid or similar functions contributing to the production of cells of various types or to the production of specific substances for internal regulation of the organism.