Hyaline cartilage, found at the ends of long bones and in the fetal skeleton, contains very fine collagen fibers. Elastic cartilage has elastic fibers and is found in the outer ear. Fibrocartilage contains strong collagen fibers that aid in shock absorption between vertebrae and within knees. Compact bone makes up the shaft of a long bone. Bone cells called osteocytes reside in lacunae within the matrix.
Spongy bone is strong yet decreases the weight of the skeleton.
Blood is a connective tissue in which a fluid matrix called plasma separates cells. Blood transports nutrients, wastes, and gases to body cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen. White blood cells help fight infections in the body. Muscular tissue is composed of cells called muscle fibers that contain filaments of actin and myosin.