ABSTRACT
As briefly described in the previous chapter, connective tissue is a form of support tissue, containing varying amounts of fibrous proteins (collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans) and cells. The matrix structure of connective tissue provides varying degrees of mechanical support to all tissues, depending on the function of the tissue, particularly variable elasticity, fluid content, and porosity. Hence, biomaterials play a major role as a connective tissue substitute. Unlike epithelial, muscular, or nervous tissue, the major constituent of connective tissue is the extracellular matrix (ECM), with the cells that produce this matrix embedded within it. The ECM of connective tissues is what a biomaterial is aimed to replace.
