Lecture on Flo Hyman, Connective Tissue, and Marfan Syndrome

Flo Hyman: A Brief Overview

• Height and Volleyball Career

  • Tall stature: 6' by age 12, over 6'5'' by age 17.
  • Became first female scholarship athlete at the University of Houston.
  • Competed in World Championships at 21; 1984 Olympics silver medalist.
  • Professional volleyball in Japan until her death in 1986.

• Death and Medical Diagnosis

  • Died during a game at 31 years old.
  • Initially thought to be heart attack; autopsy revealed aortic tear.
  • Undiagnosed Marfan Syndrome identified as the cause.

Marfan Syndrome

• Disease Characteristics

  • Genetic disorder affecting connective tissue.
  • Causes weakened connective tissue over time.
  • Known for tall, thin stature with long limbs and fingers.

• Impact on Body and Life

  • Connective tissue issues impact joints, eyes, lungs, and heart.
  • Famous individuals potentially affected: Robert Johnson, Sergei Rachmaninov, Niccolo Paganini.

Connective Tissue

• General Properties

  • Most abundant and diverse tissue type.
  • Involved in structure, support, and transport in the body.

• Four Classes of Connective Tissue

  1. Proper (e.g., in ligaments and skin support).
  2. Cartilage.
  3. Bone.
  4. Blood.

• Common Characteristics of Connective Tissues

  • Originate from mesenchyme (embryonic tissue).
  • Varying degrees of vascularity (blood flow).
  • Mostly composed of extracellular matrix (nonliving material).

• Extracellular Matrix Components

  • Ground Substance: Watery, rubbery, space-filling material with starch and protein.
  • Fibers: Provide support and structure (collagen, elastic fibers, reticular fibers).
    • Collagen: Strongest and most abundant, provides skin elasticity.
    • Elastic fibers: Stretch and recoil, found in skin, lungs, blood vessels.
    • Reticular fibers: Support organs like nets.

Connective Tissue Cells

• Cell Types and Functions

  • Cells exist as immature ("-blast") and mature ("-cyte") forms.
  • Blasts: Secrete ground substance and fibers.
    • Examples: Chondroblasts (cartilage), Osteoblasts (bone).
  • Cytes: Maintain matrix health, can revert to blast state if needed.

• Immune Function in Connective Tissue

  • Macrophages: Guard cells consuming bacteria and dead cells.
  • White blood cells (leukocytes): Fight infection, also part of connective tissue.

Marfan Syndrome in Connective Tissue

• Impact and Symptoms
  • Affects elastic fibers, causing structural weakness.
  • 90% suffer heart and aorta problems due to tissue weakness.
  • Elastic fibers' weakness leads to potential aortic enlargement and rupture.

Conclusion

• Reviewed connective tissue types and functions.
• Discussed Marfan Syndrome's effects on connective tissue.
• Upcoming class to delve deeper into connective tissue subtypes.

• Acknowledgments
  • Written by Kathleen Yale, edited by Blake de Pastino.
  • Consultant: Dr. Brandon Jackson.
  • Direction and Editing by Nicholas Jenkins.
  • Sound Design by Michael Aranda.
  • Graphics by Thought Café.

• Support
  • Made possible by Subbable subscribers; support information available at subbable.com.