Key:
- Elastic fiber (looks as if someone drew a line on the slide with a sharp pencil)
- Collagen fibers (arranged in a loose fashion)
Description:
- Fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular) are loosely organized, so this tissue can distort without damage.
- Elastic fibers make the tissue resilient. This tissue returns to its original shape when distorted.
- The matrix is thick/viscus (the consistency of clear maple syrup)
- There are many cells that can be found in this tissue:
- Fibroblasts (that make the fibers)
- Mast cells (that initiate inflammatory response)
- Macrophages (that patrol for and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria)
- White blood cells (that patrol for and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria)
Function:
- Provides padding/cushion
- Has elastic properties to allow for movement
- This tissue is one of the packaging materials of the body.
Location:
- Forms a layer that separates skin from deeper structures.
- Forms lamina propria of mucus membranes (the foundation layer that connects the mucus membranes to what lies underneath)
- Packages organs
- Surrounds capillaries