Which one of the following is not a connective tissue?

Animal tissues are categorized into four primary types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. Connective tissue is characterized by an extracellular matrix and functions to support, bind, and protect other tissues [1]. Ligaments and tendons are specific examples of dense regular connective tissue; ligaments connect bone to bone, while tendons connect muscle to bone. Cartilage is classified as a specialized supportive connective tissue composed of chondrocytes and a flexible matrix [1]. In contrast, smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue, not connective tissue. Muscle tissues are specialized for contraction to initiate movement, whereas connective tissues primarily provide structural support and integration. Therefore, smooth muscle does not belong to the connective tissue category.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538534/