Organ: Connective tissues
Introduction: Connective tissue is the material between the cells of the body that gives tissues form and strength. This "cellular glue" is also involved in delivering nutrients to the tissue, and in the special functioning of certain tissues. Connective tissue is made up of dozens of proteins, including collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins. The combination of these proteins can vary between tissues. The genes that encode these proteins can harbor defects or mutations, which can affect the functioning of certain properties of connective tissue in selected tissues. 1
Tissues such as skin, tendons, and cartilage that support and hold body parts together. The chief component of connective tissue is collagen.2
Condition count: 9 ; see list below.
Main condition: Connective tissue disorders
Organs: all organs
Diseases list: The following list of medical conditions have 'Connective tissues' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database:
C
D
E
H
M
O
S
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Questions and Answers about Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue: NIAMS
2. excerpt from Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS
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