connective tissue

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a tissue, usually of mesoblastic origin, that connects, supports, or surrounds other tissues, organs, etc.

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connective tissue British  

noun

1. an animal tissue developed from the embryonic mesoderm that consists of collagen or elastic fibres, fibroblasts, fatty cells, etc, within a jelly-like matrix. It supports organs, fills the spaces between them, and forms tendons and ligaments

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connective tissue Scientific  

/ kə-nĕk′tĭv /

1. Tissue that connects, supports, binds, or encloses the structures of the body. Connective tissues are made up of cells embedded in an extracellular matrix and include bones, cartilage, mucous membranes, fat, and blood.

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connective tissue Cultural  

1. Body tissue that serves to connect or support other tissues or parts. Cartilage, tendons, and bone are all kinds of connective tissue.

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Etymology

Origin of connective tissue

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

connective tissue

Bits of connective tissue can sometimes feel missing amid the action and the story’s lessons, particularly for Prue, don’t always land as strongly or affectingly as they could.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

Pancreatic tumors are often wrapped in dense connective tissue rich in fibroblasts.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026

HSD can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms because the connective tissue within the digestive system is stretchier.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

The life I pictured appeared in View-Master slides, each image crisp and complete, with all the inconvenient connective tissue outsourced.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

The connective tissue in his face is dissolving, and his face appears to hang from the underlying bone, as if the face is detaching itself from the skull.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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