THE AEEOLAE TISSUE. 



285 



1. Of the solid fibrous tissues. 



2. The areolag and their contents. 



1. The collagenous element (white-fibrous tissue) of the areolar 

 tissue always greatly predominates over the elastic element, though 

 varying in its precise proportional amount in different parts and 

 organs. It occurs in fasciculi, as shown in Fig. 181, of a more or 

 less wavy outline, and of variotfs length and size; they frequently 

 being about 3 J^ of an inch in diameter. Among these the elastic 

 fibres are distributed, sometimes in bundles, but more frequently 



Fig. 181. 



The two elements of the areolar tissue, in their natural relations. 1. The white fibrous element, 

 with cell-nuclei (9) sparingly visible in it. 2. The yellow fibrous element, showing the branching 

 or anastomosing character of its fibres. 3. Fibres of the elastic element, much finer than the rest. 

 8. Nucleolated cell-nuclei, often seen apparently loose. (Magnified 320 diameters.) 



single, and being -g oV <j to 5 oVir of an inch in diameter. Frequently 

 also they are coiled around the other fasciculi, as shown in the 

 figure. Messrs. Todd and Bowman first called attention to the 

 fact that this tissue is a compound of the two just mentioned. The 

 elastic fibres are easily isolated from the white fibrous tissue under 

 the microscope, by the action of acetic acid; which renders the 

 latter indefinable, soft, and gelatinous (pp. 270 and 277). 



2. The areolce are merely irregular cavities between the solid 



