Histology Class 3 Connective Tissue Vocab

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fibroblast

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A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen,[1] the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing. Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals

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melanocyte

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melanin producing cells

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mesoblast

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the middle, germinal layer of undifferentiated cells of an early embryo; it becomes the mesoderm

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reticular cell

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type of fibroblast that synthesizes type III collagen and uses it to produce reticular fibers. The cell surrounds the fibers with its cytoplasm, isolating it from other tissue components and cells

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plasma cell

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are white blood cells which secrete large volumes of antibodies.

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mast cell

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is a resident cell of several types of tissues and contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. Although best known for their role in allergy and anaphylaxis, mast cells play an important protective role as well, being intimately involved in wound healing and defense against pathogens.[2]

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macrophage

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cells produced by the differentiation of monocytes in tissues. eat stuff up

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lymphocyte

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type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.[1]. lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells (NK cells). Small lymphocytes consist of T cells and B cells.

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granulocyte

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e a category of white blood cells characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. Granulocytes or PMN are released from the bone marrow by the regulatory complement proteins.

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collagen fibers

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It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals. Collagen, in the form of elongated fibrils, is mostly found in fibrous tissues such as tendon, ligament and skin, and is also abundant in cornea, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, the gut, and intervertebral disc. The fibroblast is the most common cell which creates collagen

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elastic fibers

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bundles of proteins (elastin) found in extracellular matrix[1] of connective tissue and produced by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells in arteries.

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reticular fibers

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type of fiber in connective tissue[1] composed of type III collagen secreted by reticular cells.[2] Reticular fibers crosslink to form a fine meshwork (reticulin). This network acts as a supporting mesh in soft tissues such as liver, bone marrow, and the tissues and organs of the lymphatic system.[3

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microfibrils

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very fine fibril, or fiber-like strand, consisting of glycoproteins and cellulose

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Mesenchyma

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type of undifferentiated loose connective tissue that is derived mostly from mesoderm, although some is derived from other germ layers;

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loose connective tissue

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category of connective tissue which includes areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and adipose tissue. Loose connective tissue is the most common type of connective tissue in vertebrates. It holds organs in place and attaches epithelial tissue to other underlying tissues. It also surrounds the blood vessels and nerves.

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dense connective tissue

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mainly composed of collagen type I. Crowded between the collagen fibers are rows of fibroblasts, fiber-forming cells, that manufacture the fibers. Dense connective tissue forms strong, rope-like structures such as tendons and ligaments.

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adipocytes

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There are two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which are also known as white fat and brown fat, respectively, and comprise two types of fat cells

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white fat cells

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White fat cells or monovacuolar cells contain a large lipid droplet surrounded by a layer of cytoplasm. The nucleus is flattened and located on the periphery. A typical fat cell is 0.1mm in diameter with some being twice that size and others half that size

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brown fat cells

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Brown fat cells or plurivacuolar cells are polygonal in shape. Unlike white fat cells, these cells have considerable cytoplasm, with lipid droplets scattered throughout. The nucleus is round, and, although eccentrically located, it is not in the periphery of the cell. The brown color comes from the large quantity of mitochondria. Brown fat, also known as "baby fat," is used to generate heat.