124 



ANTHKOLOGY. 



Fio. 44. 

 Adipose tissue magnified. 

 n a, Fat cells — those on the 

 right in mass ; those on the 

 left spread amongst the con- 

 nective tissue fibree b 6. 



of areolar tissue and capillary blood-vessels. It is found in many 

 parts of the body, and varies greatly in quantity ; in joints it 

 occurs between the ligaments, and serves 

 the purpose of a packing material, while 

 in the form of medulla or marrow it 

 occupies the cavities of bones. In fat 

 cells a nucleus is rarely visible, without 

 special preparation. 



LIGAMENTS. 



Ligaments are dense, fibrous, connecting 

 structures. They exist in most articula- 

 tions, and are made up principally of white 

 fibrous tissue. There are two kinds — 

 caijsular or bursal, and funicular or 

 binding ligaments. 



Capsular ligaments are membranous 

 structures, generally, but not always, en- 

 closing true joints. They consist of a dense interlacement of 

 fibres attached to bones, round the edges of the articular cartil- 

 ages, partially or wholly surrounding the joint ; some regard 

 them as a continuation of the periosteum. They are never 

 closely applied, their use being to form cavities round the joints, 

 enclosing and protecting the synovial or lubricating apparatus 

 inside. 



Funicular or binding ligaments consist of rounded or flattened 

 cords, or bands of fibrous tissue, passing from one bone to another, 

 firmly attached to roughened portions of their surfaces. They 

 hold the bones in their places, at the same time allowing the 

 requisite amount of motion in the joints. Ligaments which are 

 situated between bones are often termed interosseous. Annular 

 ligaments are those which bind down and protect the tendons of 

 muscles in certain joints, converting grooves in the bones into 

 channels or tubes which are lined with synovial membrane, and 

 through which the tendons play. 



Some ligaments are composed almost entirely of yellow elastic 

 tissue, such as the ligamentum nuchae and the ligaments con- 

 necting the vertebral arches. 



SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES. 



These are thin membranes lining the capsular or binding 

 ligaments of true joints, or they are interposed elsewhere 



