Elastic fibers
Elastic fibers
Elastic fibers (pronounced: ih-las-tik fahy-berz) are a type of connective tissue in the body that are capable of stretching and returning to their original length. They are an integral part of various tissues and organs, providing them with flexibility and resilience.
Etymology
The term "elastic" is derived from the Greek word "elastos", meaning "ductile, flexible". The term "fiber" comes from the Latin "fibra", meaning "thread, filament". Together, they describe the unique properties of these fibers in the body.
Structure
Elastic fibers are composed of two main components: elastin and fibrillin. Elastin provides the elasticity and resilience, while fibrillin forms the scaffold for elastin deposition.
Function
Elastic fibers are crucial for the normal function of many tissues in the body. They allow tissues to return to their original shape after stretching or contracting, such as the lungs during breathing and the arteries during blood flow.
Related Terms
- Elastin: The protein that gives elastic fibers their elasticity.
- Fibrillin: A glycoprotein that forms the scaffold for elastin deposition in elastic fibers.
- Connective tissue: The tissue in the body that supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs, often containing fibers.
- Lungs: The pair of respiratory organs where oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is breathed out.
- Arteries: The blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Elastic fibers
- Wikipedia's article - Elastic fibers
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