CONNECTIVE TISSUES 



41 



stance is insignificant in amount, and the connective tissue cells 

 are scanty and are confined to the white fibrous sheaths in which 

 the elastic fibres are enveloped. The elastic fibres are of very 

 large size (10 to 15 /x) as compared with those of other forms of 

 connective tissue. But, except for their larger size, these fibres 

 have the same peculiar characteristics as the elastic fibres of areo- 

 lar tissue. In their straight course, frequent branches, and their 



FIG. 43. ADIPOSE TISSUE OF MAN. 



The fat has been removed and only the cell membranes and investing connective tissue 

 remain. Hematein and eosin. Photo, x 150. 



glistening, highly refractive appearance, as also in their charac- 

 teristic reactions to specific dyes and other reagents, these fibres 

 are identical with the elastic fibres of the other types of connec- 

 tive tissue. 



The elastic fibres are bound together by delicate sheaths of 

 very fine white fibres, and are united into bundles by coarser bands 

 of fibrous tissue. Elastic tissue is found in the ligamentum sub- 



