Connective Tissue

Connective tissue is the most widely distributed tissue in the animal body. As its name suggests, it binds, supports and gives strength to other tissues and organs, holding the body's parts together and in place. It is built from a variety of cells and fibres, all embedded in an abundant intercellular ground substance called the matrix — and it is the nature of this matrix that gives each kind of connective tissue its distinct properties. Connective tissue helps protect the vital organs of the body, and unlike epithelial tissue it is generally highly vascular (well supplied with blood vessels), the one notable exception being cartilage. It also serves as a packing material between organs and plays an important role in the body's wound-healing process.

Connective tissue is classified according to the nature of its matrix into three broad groups: …