What is elastic connective tissue?

Answer 1

Elastic cartilage is found predominately in the external ear and as well as around the epiglottis. Elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage, but its matrix contains many elastic fibers along with the delicate collagen fibrils. This cartilage is more elastic than hyaline cartilage and better able to tolerate repeated bending. The epiglottis, which bends down to cover the glottis (opening) of the larynx each time we swallow, is made of elastic cartilage, as is the highly bendable cartilage in the outer ear.

Answer 2

Elastic cartilage has a dense network of elastic fibers and thus is more flexible than hyaline

cartilage. It provides the framework for the external ears and for parts of the larynx.

Answer 3

Elastic Connective Tissue is a specific connective tissue underneath the banner of Connective Tissue Proper and ,to be specific, a dense connective tissue (as Connective Tissue Proper is divided into Loose & Dense CT). It is labeled this due to it's intense concentration of elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix. This NOT to be mistaken for elastic cartilage which also is a connective tissue, but under the banner of cartilage or the semisolid/supporting connective tissues. This type of tissue is used by the body to create structures that can stretch. A good amount of this tissue is found in arteries which are really elastic.

There are 2 schools of thought as people will utilize a Dense Connective tissue into 3 types Regular (DRCT), Irregular (DICT), & Elastic (ECT). This is contrasted by another school of thought (which I subscribe to) which actually think that irregular and regular are a separate demarcating feature in comparison to dense as well as to fiber content. Thus 4 tissues are created in this second school of thought:
1. Dense regular COLLAGENOUS CT (DRCCT)- found in tendons
2. Dense irregular COLLAGENOUS CT (DICCT)- found in the dermis of the integument
3. Dense Regular ELASTIC CT (DRECT)- Found in the vocal chords
4. Dense irregualr ELASTIC CT (DIECT)- Found in arteries.

This came about as the tissue found in the vocal chords had the elastic fibers arranged markedly regular in big paddles and looks very different than the one found in arteries. Thus it makes more sense if there is a regular & irregular variety of dense elastic connective tissue to make the delineation.