TY - BOOK ID - 69773878 TI - Composition and function of the extracellular matrix in the human body PY - 2016 SN - 9535124161 9535154338 9535124153 PB - IntechOpen DB - UniCat KW - Extracellular matrix. KW - Cement substance (Anatomy) KW - Ground substance (Anatomy) KW - Ground substance (Histology) KW - Intercellular matrix KW - Interstitial substance KW - Matrix, Extracellular KW - Connective tissues KW - Extracellular space KW - Human biology UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:69773878 AB - The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an ensemble of non-cellular components present within all tissues and organs of the human body. The ECM provides structural support for scaffolding cellular constituents and biochemical and biomechanical support for those events leading to tissue morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis. Essential components of all ECMs are water, proteins and polysaccharides. However, their composition, architecture and bioactivity greatly vary from tissue to tissue in relation to the specific role the ECM is required to assume. This book overviews the role of the ECM in different tissues and organs of the human body. ER -