276 MANUAL OF HISTOLOGY. 



in this layer, and hence a loose connective tissue is formed. 

 Within this layer adipose tissue is found in greater or less 

 quantity. The 'fat-cells are collected into masses or lobules, the 

 number of cells which form a lobule varying greatly in num- 

 ber. Each of these latter may be regarded as a fat-gland, as it 

 is provided with an afferent artery, a capillary plexus between 

 the corpuscles, and one or more efferent veins. Several lobules 

 are sometimes united together in the form of an acinous-like 

 gland, and are likewise seen to be surrounded by a general 

 sheath of connective tissue. The individual fat-cells are round, 

 flattened, polyhedral, or oval-shaped, the form depending upon 

 the degree and direction of the pressure exerted upon them. 

 Owing to the amount of fat-tissue so often found in this layer, 

 it has been called the panniculus adiposus. Such fat-lobules 

 are absent in the penis, scrotum, labise minorse, eyelids, and 

 pinna. The corresponding spaces in these regions are tra- 

 versed by fine connective- tissue bands or single fibrils. From 

 this adipose tissue fat-columns pass upward in a somewhat 

 oblique direction to the bases of the hair-follicles, especially 

 to those of the fine hairs. Their long axes form a slight angle 

 with the axes of the follicles, and they are nearly parallel to 

 the erector pili muscles (Warren). In cases of starvation, in 

 the so-called wasting diseases, and in all acute diseases at- 

 tended with excessive loss of tissue, the fat-cells disappear to 

 a greater or less extent. The skin, in such instances, becomes 

 correspondingly flaccid and wrinkled. Adipose tissue gives to 

 the skin its tension and fulness, and to the body its appear- 

 ance of roundness or plumpness. Obesity consists in an exces- 

 sive production of fat-cells. 



The interfascicular spaces differ in size in proportion to the 

 amount of lymph present, and to the closeness of the anasto- 

 moses between the bundles. In oedema the lymph-spaces are 

 increased in size proportionately to the increased amount of 

 liquid present. The interfascicular spaces all communicate 

 with each other, as is shown by the rapidity with which a 

 hypodermically injected liquid can be dispersed by manipu- 

 lation. 



The connective-tissue cells of this layer and of the corium 

 consist of branched cells (Ravogli) which surround the white 

 fibrous bundles and send in processes between the fibres. Ac- 

 cording to some observers, these cells are epithelioid in charac- 



