Page 83 - Veterinary Histology of Domestic Mammals and Birds, 5th Edition

Connective and supportive tissues (textus connectivus) 65

numbers of metabolically active organelles (mitochondria, glycans in the amorphous ground substance influences the
VetBooks.ir Golgi apparatus, ER) as well as azurophilic granules (lys- capacity for binding of extracellular water molecules. The
osomes). Monocytes migrate from the blood vessels into metabolic activity of the connective tissue is regulated by
the tissue, where they differentiate into macrophages.
hormones, particularly growth hormone, corticosteroids

Granulocytes are described in Chapter 8, ‘Immune and oestrogens.
system and lymphatic organs’. Fibroblasts (Figures 3.5 and 3.6) synthesise:
Intercellular matrix (substantia intercellularis) · fibres:
The intercellular matrix is composed of fibres and − collagen fibres,
amorphous ground substance. Both are produced by − reticular fibres,
connective tissue cells, particularly fibroblasts. Other, − elastic fibres,
closely related, cells, such as chondroblasts and osteo- · amorphous ground substance:
blasts, are also capable of synthesising intercellular matrix. − proteoglycans and
The function of the extracellular matrix is determined − structural glycoproteins.
by its biochemical composition: the proportion of fibres
has a significant impact on the pliability, elasticity and
flexibility of the tissue, while the amount of glycosamino-

3.5 Fibroblast with dense granules, multiple cell processes and bundles of collagen fibrils (x5000).

3.6 Intra- and extracellular fibre production (fibrogenesis).

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