Connective Tissue (N/A)

Connective tissue is one of the four primary types of animal tissue. It serves as the structural framework for organs and the body as a whole, providing cohesion, support, and separation between different tissues and organs. It is characterized by loosely arranged cells embedded within an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of ground substance and protein fibers (collagen, elastic, reticular). Main functions include mechanical support, tissue binding, metabolic support, immune responses, nutrient/waste transport, energy storage, and tissue repair. Types include loose, dense regular, dense irregular, reticular, cartilage, bone, blood, adipose, and embryonic connective tissues.