FIBROUS, ELASTIC, AND ADIPOSE TISSUES 



81 



Compare this photomicrograph of a cross section 

 of bone with the diagram shown on page 79. 



that hold the bones together at the joints. The tendons are also 

 made of it. These attach muscles to the bones and are commonly 

 called cords. In bending the 

 wrist or stretching the neck, 

 these cords are easily seen. 



When elastic fibers predom- 

 inate in connective tissue, it 

 gives a yellowish color to the 

 tissue and is known as elastic 

 tissue. It is more elastic than 

 fibrous tissue but not so 

 strong. It is found between 

 adjacent vertebrae, insuring 

 elasticity to the vertebral 

 column. It is also found in 

 the walls of blood vessels. 



1 



The adipose cells store excess supplies of fat. These cells com- 

 pose, to a large extent, the yellow marrow of bone. Deposits 



of fatty cells are in the 

 deeper layers of the skin 

 and encase organs such as 

 the kidnevs and heart. 

 When the fat is needed 

 b\^ the body for metabo- 

 lism, certain enzymes in 

 the cell enter the vacuole 

 and digest the fat. 



In general, the cells of 

 connective tissue support 

 the organs and make the 

 framework of the body. 

 The toughness of tendons, 

 the extensile character of 



cell 

 Cfboploiiin. 



"tohite fibrotxsr 

 connec£ive. tis^tte 



Droplets of oil enter certain cells. This oil in- 

 creases in volume by additional particles entering 

 the cells and crowding the protoplasmic contents of 

 the cell into a small mass. The cell becomes dis- 

 torted. The oil may be transformed to fat. Masses of 

 these cells build the fat or adipose tissue of the body. 



