| bone | The hard form of connective tissue that constitutes the majority of the skeleton of most vertebrates; it consists of an organic component (the cells and matrix) and an inorganic, or mineral, component; the matrix contains a framework of collagenous fibers and is impregnated with the mineral component, chiefly calcium phosphate (85 per cent) and calcium carbonate (10 per cent), which imparts the quality of rigidity to bone [Brenda]. | — |
| lymphocytes | A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphocyte]. | — |
| B cell | B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response (as opposed to the cell-mediated immune response, which is governed by T cells). The principal functions of B cells are to make antibodies against antigens, perform the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and eventually develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction. B cells are an essential component of the adaptive immune system [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_cell]. | — |
| cartilage | A specialized, fibrous connective tissue, forming most of the temporary skeleton of the embryo, providing a model in which most of the bones develop, and constituting an important part of the growth mechanism of the organism. It exists in several types, the most important of which are hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage. Also used as a general term to designate a mass of such tissue in a particular site in the body [Brenda]. | — |
| memory B cell | Memory B cells are a B cell sub-type that are formed following primary infection [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_B_cell]. | — |
| joint | The point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it [Brenda]. | — |
| T cell | T cells or T lymphocytes belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and play a central role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be distinguished from other lymphocytes, such as B cells and natural killer cells (NK cells), by the presence of a T cell receptor (TCR) on the cell surface. They are called T cells because they mature in the thymus, and thus, can also be called thymocytes. There are several subsets of T cells, each with a distinct function [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_cell]. | — |
| T regulatory cell | Regulatory T cells (Treg), sometimes known as suppressor T cells, are a subpopulation of T cells which downregulates the immune system, maintains tolerance to self-antigens, and downregulates autoimmune disease. Mouse models have suggested that modulation of Tregs can treat autoimmune disease and cancer, and facilitate organ transplantation [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_T_cell]. | — |
| stromal cell | Connective tissue cells of an organ found in the loose connective tissue. These are most often associated with the uterine mucosa and the ovary as well as the hematopoietic system and elsewhere [Brenda]. | — |
| naive T cell | A naive T cell or Th0 cell is a T cell that has differentiated in bone marrow, and successfully undergone the positive and negative processes of central selection in the thymus. A naive T cell is considered mature and unlike activated T cells or memory T cells it has not encountered its cognate antigen within the periphery [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naive_T_cell]. | — |
| muscle | A body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion [Brenda]. | — |
| neutrophil | A granulocyte that is the chief phagocytic white blood cell of the blood [Brenda]. | — |
| macrophage | Relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues, derived from blood monocyte. Macrophages from different sites have distinctly different properties. Main types are peritoneal and alveolar macrophages, tissue macrophages (histiocytes), Kuppfer cells of the liver, and osteoclasts. In response to foreign materials may become stimulated or activated. Macrophages play an important role in killing of some bacteria, protozoa, and tumour cells, release substances that stimulate other cells of the immune system, and are involved in antigen presentation. May further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to epithelioid cells or may fuse to form foreign body giant cells or Langhans' giant cells [Brenda]. | — |
| natural killer cell | A large granular lymphocyte capable of killing a tumor or microbial cell without prior exposure to the target cell and without having it presented with or marked by a histocompatibility antigen [Brenda]. | — |
| tendon | A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part (as a bone) and transmits the force which the muscle exerts [Brenda]. | — |
| dendritic cell | A special type of cell that is a key regulator of the immune system, acting as a professional antigen-presenting cell, APC, capable of activating naive T cells and stimulating the growth and differentiation of B cells. Dendritic cells are found, for example, in the lymph nodes and spleen. As an APC, a dendritic cell can retain antigen for long periods on its surface, present the antigen to a T or B cell and so influence their behavior [Brenda]. | — |
| fascia | A sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures as muscles [Brenda]. | — |
| leukocyte | Any of the blood cells that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils [Brenda]. | — |
| fibroblasts | A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing. Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibroblast]. | — |
| elastin | Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Elastin is also an important load-bearing tissue in the bodies of vertebrates and used in places where mechanical energy is required to be stored. In humans, elastin is encoded by the ELN gene [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastin]. | — |
| collagen | Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content. Collagen, in the form of elongated fibrils, is mostly found in fibrous tissues such as tendon, ligament and skin, and is also abundant in cornea, cartilage, bone, blood vessels, the gut, and intervertebral disc. The fibroblast is the most common cell which creates collagen [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen]. | — |
| skin | The integument of an animal (as a fur-bearing mammal or a bird) separated from the body usually with its hair or feathers [Brenda]. | — |
| appendages | In invertebrate biology, an appendage (or outgrowth) is an external body part, or natural prolongation, that protrudes from an organism's body (in verterbrate biology, an example would be a vertebrate's limbs). It is a general term that covers any of the homologous body parts that may extend from a body segment. These include antennae, mouthparts (including mandibles, maxillae and maxillipeds), wings, elytra, gills, walking legs (pereiopods), swimming legs (pleopods), sexual organs (gonopods), and parts of the tail (uropods). Typically, each body segment carries one pair of appendages [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendage]. | — |
| subcutaneous | The hypodermis, also called the hypoderm, subcutaneous tissue, or superficial fascia is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates. (Hypoderm and subcutaneous are from Greek and Latin words, respectively, for "beneath the skin.")Types of cells that are found in the hypodermis are fibroblasts, adipose cells, and macrophages. It is derived from the mesoderm, but unlike the dermis, it is not derived from the dermatome region of the mesoderm. In arthropods, the hypodermis is an epidermal layer of cells that secretes the chitinous cuticle. The term also refers to a layer of cells lying immediately below the epidermis of plants [Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcutaneous_tissue]. | — |
| central nervous system | The central nervous system is that part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) which is outside the brain and spinal cord [Brenda]. | — |
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