ADIPOSE TISSUE. 



29 



of which the thin plate-like bodies are applied. Since each cell is in 

 close contact with two or three bundles, the cytoplasm is moulded by 

 the bundles into wing-like expansions. Seen from the surface, the tendon- 

 cells appear as small rectangular elements, 

 whose round nuclei are disposed in pairs, 

 the nucleus of one cell lying close to that 

 of its neighbor. Viewed in longitudinal 

 profile, the tendon-cells appear as nar- 



Tendon-bundl 



Profile vie 



Oblique view 



Surface view 



FIG. 41. Tendon-bundles from tail of 

 mouse, showing different views of the ten- 

 don-cells. X 300. 



FIG. 42. Transverse section of tendon-bundles (*)> 

 the interfascicular spaces (s) contain the tendon-cells 

 (a) applied to the surface of the bundles. X 300. 



row rods, while when seen in transverse section, they are seen as stellate 

 figures, the extended limbs of which are the sections of the wing-plates. 



ADIPOSE TISSUE. 



The fatty material contained within the body is enclosed, to a large 

 extent, within connective tissue cells in various localities. These modified 

 elements are known as fat- cet 'Is, which, together with the areolar tissue con- 

 necting the cells and supporting the fair supply of blood-vessels, constitute 

 adipose tissue. 



The distribution of adipose tissue includes almost all parts of the body. 

 Among the localities in which the accumulations of fat are conspicuous, are 

 the subcutaneous areolar tissue, the orbits, the marrow of bones, the mesen- 

 tery and the omentum, the subperitoneal tissue and the subpericardial tissue 

 of the heart, the areolar tissue surrounding the kidneys, and the vicinity of 

 the joints. On the other hand, in a few situations, including the subcuta- 

 neous areolar tissue of the eyelids, the penis, the clitoris and labia minora, 

 the lungs, except near their roots, and the interior of the cranium, adipose 

 tissue is absent, even when developed to excess in other parts. As ordina- 

 rily seen, adipose tissue is of a light straw color and often exhibits a gran- 

 ular texture due to the groups of fat-cells within the supporting areolar 

 tissue. 



Examined microscopically in preparations from localities where they 

 are not crowded and retain their individual form, the fat-cells appear as 

 large clear spherical sacs held together by delicate areolar tissue. Unless 

 treated with some stain possessing an especial affinity for fat, as osmic acid 

 or Sudan III, the oily content of the cells appears transparent and uncol- 

 ored and seemingly occupies the entire cell-body. Critical examination, 

 however, demonstrates the presence of an extremely thin peripheral layer of 

 cytoplasm, which completely surrounds the huge oil-drops and at one place 

 presents a local accumulation enclosing the displaced and compressed 



