<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terminology (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> Connective tissue (CT) is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue . It develops from the mesoderm . Connective tissue is found in between other tissues everywhere in the body, including the nervous system . In the central nervous system, the three outer membranes (the meninges) that envelop the brain and spinal cord are composed of connective tissue . They support and protect the body . All connective tissue consists of three main components: fibers (elastic and collagenous fibers), ground substance and cells . Not all authorities include blood or lymph as connective tissue because they lack the fiber component . All are immersed in the body water . </P> <P> The cells of connective tissue include fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, mast cells and leucocytes . </P> <P> The term "connective tissue" (in German, Bindegewebe) was introduced in 1830 by Johannes Peter Müller . The tissue was already recognized as a distinct class in the 18th century . </P>

What types of cells are in connective tissue