Fibrocyte (also fibroblast) - the generic or characteristic cell for each type of connective tissue. In the loose and dense tissues the name fibrocyte or fibroblast is used depending on the predominant action and stage of development of the cells. A fibroblast is actively secreting matrix, usually in growing tissue, while a fibrocyte is a mature cell, no longer active in building tissue, but still important in maintenance and managing homeostasis. The same designation is used for cells in other connective tissues, e.g. osteocytes and osteoblasts in bone, chondrocytes and chondroblasts in cartilage. A cell designated as a -clast is dissolving the matrix. For instance osteoclasts are important in bone remodeling by breaking down old matrix before it is replaced. These cells come from a different cell line than the -blasts and -cytes.
	mast cells - similar to basophils in the blood, they play a role in inflammatory reactions by secreting histamine and heparin.
	macrophages - phagocytic cells derived from monocytes which are part of the body's first line of defense against invading microorganisms. These cells have a variety of names depending on the tissue such as histiocytes (lungs), Kupffer cells (liver), Langerhan's cells (skin), microglia (nervous tissue).