ADIPOSE TISSUE. 



79 



times exhibit a delicate stippling due to the transversely sectioned fibrillae. The 

 interfascicular clefts frequently are represented, in such preparations, by stellate 

 figures in which the sections of the tendon-cells, lying upon the primary bundles, can 

 be distinguished ; the remaining portion of the stellate cleft is occupied by the 



Fig. io8. 



:> 





Fig. 109. 



Adipose tissue from omentum. X 160. The fat-cells are arranged as groups between the bundles of 



connective tissue. 



coagulated and stained interfascicular cement-substance. The larger divisions of 

 the tendon, composed of the groups of secondary bundles, are separated by the 

 septa prolonged inward from the general sheath investing the entire tendon. Ten- 

 don is composed almost exclu- 

 sively of fibrous tissue, elastic 

 fibres being practically absent. 



Adipose Tissue. — The 

 fatty material contained within 

 the body is to a large extent en- 

 closed within connective-tissue 

 cells in various localities ; these 

 modified elements are known as 

 fat-cells, which, together with 

 the areolar tissue connecting the 

 cells and supporting the rich 

 supply of blood-vessels, consti- 

 tute the adipose tissue. 



The distribution of adipose 

 tissue includes almost all parts of 

 the body, although accumulations 

 of fat are especially conspicuous 

 in certain localities. Among the 

 latter are the subcutaneous areolar tissue, the marrow of bones, the mesentery and 

 the omentum, the areolar tissue surrounding the kidney, the vicinity of the joints, and 

 the subpericardial tissue of the heart. On the other hand, in a few situations, in- 

 cluding the subcutaneous areolar tissue of the eyelids, the penis and the labia 

 minora, the lungs, except near their roots, and the interior of the cranium, adipose 



Peripheral zone 

 of protoplasm 

 enclosing oil- 

 drop 



Young fat-cell 



Connective-tissue' 



cells 



Nucleus 

 of older 

 fat-cell 



Young fat-cells from subcutaneous tissue. X 550. 



