CONNECTIVE TISSUE 5 



Nerve tissue, of cells which are particularly sensitive to 

 special kinds of stimulus. 



Connective tissue is the fibrous soft framework of the entire 

 body the connecting structure by means of which all of its parts 

 are held together. (Fig. i.) 



Under this heading are included the following varieties: 

 Fibrous tissue, a form of connective tissue containing slender 



white fibers, closely packed together. 

 Areolar tissue, containing the same kind of fiber cells loosely 



woven into a network (often called cellular tissue). 

 Adipose tissue, a variety of areolar tissue with cells containing 

 fat. (Fig. 2.) 



FIG. 3. ELASTIC FIBERS. Xs6o. Very thick elastic fibers /, from ligamentum 

 nuchaeof ox; b, connective-tissue bundles. (Lewis and St'ohr.} 



Elastic tissue, a form of connective tissue containing many 

 elastic fibers, pale yellow in color. (Fig. 3.) 



Osseous tissue, composed largely of cells having the power to 

 utilize mineral substances of the blood in the formation 

 of bone. (The intercellular substance is filled with min- 

 eral matter.) (Figs. 7 and 8.) 



Cartilage, a form of connective tissue with firm white elastic 

 substance (intercellular substance) between its cells. 

 Many cartilages are covered with a thin membrane 

 called perichondrium, similar to the periosteum of bones 

 (seepage 13). 



