Connective tissue, cartilage and bone
The supporting tissues: connective tissue and its matrix (collagen, elastin), adipose tissue, cartilage, bone and its cells (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes), bone remodelling and its diseases (osteoporosis, scurvy, rickets).
- 36 cards
- 3 topics
- Free
The outline, topic by topic
Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.
- Concepts
- Scenarios
- Understand
A few cards from the deck
Connective tissue: what is it?
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A tissue of scattered cells in an abundant matrix of fibres and ground substance.
It supports, connects and feeds the other tissues.
A sailor without fresh fruit for months has bleeding gums and wounds that do not heal. Why?
- Lack of vitamin C prevents strong collagen from being made (scurvy)
- Too much vitamin D
- A bone infection
- A lack of osteoclasts
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Lack of vitamin C prevents strong collagen from being made (scurvy)
Vitamin C is essential for collagen maturation.
Fibroblast: what is it?
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The main cell of connective tissue, which makes the fibres and the matrix.
It plays a central role in healing.
Why is bone constantly remodelled?
- To grow in adulthood
- It is not
- To make muscle
- To repair microcracks, adapt to stresses and regulate blood calcium
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To repair microcracks, adapt to stresses and regulate blood calcium
About a tenth of the skeleton is renewed each year in an adult.
Collagen: what is it?
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A fibrous protein very resistant to pulling, the most abundant in the body.
Making it requires vitamin C.
In osteoporosis, what happens between osteoblasts and osteoclasts?
- Osteoblasts build too much
- Breakdown by osteoclasts outweighs building
- Both disappear
- Bone turns into cartilage
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Breakdown by osteoclasts outweighs building
Bone thins and breaks at the slightest blow, especially after menopause.