The Cells of Connective Tissue Proper

by Greg Crowther

Among the four main tissue types, connective tissue includes the most different kinds of cells. Most of this remarkable cellular diversity can be found within connective tissue proper, rather than fluid connective tissue (blood or lymph) or supporting connective tissue (bone or cartilage). This jingle, originally written for Biology 241 at South Seattle College, lists all cell types that can be found in connective tissue proper, with the exception of microphages, which are uncommon except in the case of injury.

Melanocytes and macrophages,
Mesenchymal, mast;
Adipo-/ lympho-/ fibrocytes,
And also fibroblasts!

These are the cells of connective tissue proper --
Sing this song the whole day long
Until you know them all!

• MP3 (demo)

• sheet music (with melody play-back)