12-4 



ARTHEOLOGT. 



Fin. 44. 



Adipose tissue magnified. 

 a a, Fat cells those on the 

 riyht in inass ; those on the 

 left spread amonirst the om- 

 nective tissue fibres b b. 



ADIPOSE TISSUE. 



Fat or adipose tissue consists of cells containing an oily material 

 and arranged in isolated groups, or slightly separated by meshes 

 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 

 capsular or bur sal, and funicular or 

 binding ligaments. 



Capsular ligaments are membranous 

 structures, generally, but not always, enclosing true joints. They 

 consist of a dense interlacement of fibres attached to bones, round 

 the edges of the articular cartilages, partially or wholly surround- 

 ing the joint ; some regard them as a continuation of the perios- 

 teum. They are never closely applied, their use being to form 

 cavities round the joints, enclosing and protecting the syuovial 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 nuchse and the ligaments connect- 

 ing the vertebral arches. 



