YELLOW ELASTIC TISSUE. 



51 



gradually into fibrous, adipose, or other varieties of connec- 

 tive tissue. 



White fibrous tissue is that in which the white fibres pre- 

 dominate, forming a tough, dense, inelastic tissue. Connec- 

 tive-tissue cells, fusiform, or flat and clasping the fibrous 

 fasciculi, are scattered among the wavy fibres, more numerous 



FIG. 19. 



Subcutaneous areolar tissue, from rabbit, showing white and elastic fibres and 

 connective-tissue cells (Schafer). c, developing fusiform and stellate cells; 

 c', flattened cell ; /, elongated cell ; g, wandering cell ; p, plasma-cells. 



when the tissue is young, less numerous or even almost 

 absent in old tissues. It is widely distributed, forming tough 

 fascia?, aponeuroses, ligaments, capsules and trabeculse of 

 organs, and the like. 



Yellow elastic tissue is that in which elastic fibres predomi- 

 nate, as in the ligamenta subflava and bloodvessels, structures 

 characterized by elasticity and resiliency. The l*gamentum 

 nuchae of certain animals consists mainly of coarse. polygonal 

 yellow fibres, with a few scattered white fibres or cells. 

 Arteries contain much elastic tissue, largely in the form of 

 elastic plates, fibrous networks, or perforated membranes. 



Membranes: Connective tissue often forms distinct mem- 



