Connective Tissue

Functions of Connective tissue:

→ joins together other tissues

→ supporting framework for the body (bone)

→ fat stores energy

→ blood transports substances

Connective tissue is usually characterized by large amounts of extracellular materials that separate cells from each other, whereas epithelial tissue is mostly cells with very little extracellular material. The extracellular substance of connective tissue consists of protein fibers which are embedded in ground substance containing tissue fluid.

Fibers in connective tissue can be divided into three types:

→ Collagen fibers are the most abundant protein fibers in the body.

→ Elastic fibers are made of elastin and have the ability to recoil to original shape.

→ Reticular fibers are very fine collagen fibers that join connective tissues to other tissues.

Connective tissue cells are named according to their functions:

 → Blast cells produce the matrix of connective tissues

→ Cyte cells maintains the matrix of connective tissues

→ Clast cells breaks down the matrix for remodeling (found in bone)

The Temporalis Muscle

• This is an extensive fan-shaped muscle that covers the temporal region.
• It is a powerful masticatory muscle that can easily be seen and felt during closure of the mandible.

• Origin: floor of temporal fossa and deep surface of temporal fascia.
• Insertion: tip and medial surface of coronoid process and anterior border of ramus of mandible.
• Innervation: deep temporal branches of mandibular nerve (CN V³).

• The temporalis elevates the mandible, closing the jaws; and its posterior fibres retrude the mandible after protrusion.

Muscles acting on the Temporomandibular Joint

• Movements of the temporomandibular joint are chiefly from the action of the muscles of mastication.
• The temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoid muscles produce biting movements.
• The lateral pterygoid muscles protrude the mandible with the help from the medial pterygoid muscles and retruded largely by the posterior fibres of the temporalis muscle.
• Gravity is sufficient to depress the mandible, but if there is resistance, the lateral pterygoid, suprahyoid and infrahyoid, mylohyoid and anterior digastric muscles are activated.

Innervation of the Pharynx

• The motor and most of the sensory supply of the pharynx is derived from the pharyngeal plexus of nerves on the surface of the pharynx.
• The plexus is formed by pharyngeal branches of the vagus (CN X) and glossopharyngeal (CN IX) nerves, and by sympathetic branches for the superior cervical ganglion.

• The motor fibres in the pharyngeal plexus are derived from the cranial root of accessory nerve (CN XI), and are carried by the vagus nerve to all muscles of the pharynx and soft palate.
• The exceptions are stylopharyngeus (supplied by CN IX) and the tensor veli palatini (supplied by CN V3).

The Oral Cavity

• The oral cavity (mouth) consists of two parts: the vestibule and the mouth proper.

• The vestibule is the slit-like spaced between the cheeks and the lips and the teeth and gingivae.
• It is the entrance of the digestive tract and is also used for breathing.
• The vestibule communicates with the exterior through the orifice of the mouth.

• The oral cavity is bounded:
• Externally: by the cheeks and lips.
• Roof of oral cavity: formed by the palate.
• Posteriorly: the oral cavity communicates with the oropharynx.