Knowra Connective tissue Connective tissue Connective tissue supports, binds, or separates other tissues and organs. Its cells are embedded in an extracellular matrix whose composition gives each type distinct properties.
Extracellular matrix : The noncellular material surrounding cells, composed of fibers and ground substance. It forms the defining environment in which connective-tissue cells are embedded.
Tendon : A dense connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone and transmits force. Its parallel collagen bundles are adapted to resist pulling forces.
Ehlers–Danlos syndromes : A group of inherited disorders affecting collagen or related pathways and causing connective-tissue abnormalities. These syndromes link altered matrix biology to unusually extensible skin and joint hypermobility.
Epithelial tissue : Tissue made of closely packed cells that cover surfaces, line cavities, and form glands. Unlike connective tissue, epithelium has little extracellular matrix between its cells.
Fibroblast : A cell that produces and maintains extracellular matrix, especially collagen and other connective-tissue components. Fibroblasts build much of the matrix that gives connective tissue its structure.
Cartilage : A firm, flexible connective tissue with cells in a hydrated extracellular matrix. Its matrix supports compression while remaining resilient.
Marfan syndrome : An inherited connective-tissue disorder caused by pathogenic variants in FBN1, which encodes fibrillin-1. Fibrillin defects show how matrix proteins affect the skeleton, eyes, and aorta.
Muscle tissue : Tissue whose specialized cells contract to produce force and movement. Muscle generates active force, while connective tissue commonly transmits or withstands it.
Collagen : A family of structural proteins that form strong fibers in extracellular matrices. Collagen fibers provide tensile strength to many connective tissues.
Bone : A mineralized connective tissue that supports the body, protects organs, and stores minerals. Mineral deposited in its matrix makes bone rigid and load-bearing.
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