[1] The body's structures are held together by connective tissues, consisting of two distinct proteins: elastin and collagen.

Tendons, ligaments, skin, cartilage, bone, and blood vessels are all made of collagen.

[1] Hereditary connective tissue disorders are a diverse set of broad, single-gene disorders that impact one or more of the main components of connective tissues, such as ground substance (glycosaminoglycans), collagen, or elastin.

Many result in anomalies of the skeleton and joints, which can substantially impair normal growth and development.

[1] Acquired connective tissue diseases share certain clinical features, such as joint inflammation, inflammation of serous membranes, and vasculitis, as well as a high frequency of involvement of various internal organs that are particularly rich in connective tissue.