292 



THE TISSUES. 



Fig. 184. 



that the thickest portion of one is engaged between the thinner ends 

 of the two or more adjacent to it; and thus fasciculi are gradually 

 formed, of which every fibre is developed from 

 one elongated cell, except where two or more 

 cells have united end to end, so as to form one 

 long, continuous filament. In the production 

 of areolar tissue in inflammatory exudations, 

 or in granulating wounds, the nuclei of these 

 fibre-cells appear to waste and be absorbed; 

 but in the normal course of development, which 

 may be seen to take place on this plan in the 

 subcutaneous areolar tissue of the foetus, as 

 well as in many other situations, it is probable 

 that they develop themselves into the 'nuclear 

 fibres' of Henle, which constitute, in fact, the 

 yellow or elastic filaments that are intermin- 

 gled with the white in this tissue" 1 (p. 273). 



2. In case of the filling up of subcutaneous 

 wounds, as of tendons especially, the white 

 fibrous element is formed directly by the fibril- 

 lation of a nucleated blastema. This, when first effused, "seems like 

 a mere fibrinous exudation, usually containing a quantity of finely- 

 molecular or dimly-shaded substance, but having no appearance of 

 distinct nuclei; these, however, gradually present themselves in it, 

 as oval bodies, with dark, hard outlines, which soon become elon- 

 gated, and are so firmly imbedded in the surrounding substance that 

 they can scarcely be dislodged. The blastema gradually acquires a 

 more and more distinct fibrous appearance, and at last exhibits a 

 regular filamentous structure ; the nuclei themselves undergoing 

 little change during this time, but appearing to govern the direction 

 of the fibrillation. As the texture goes on to completion, the nuclei 

 are either absorbed which seems to be the case in the connecting 

 tissue formed for the reparation of injuries, as well as in the normal 

 development of tendons or they undergo a further development 

 into 'nuclear fibres.' This is effected by their extension at both 

 ends, so that the nuclei thus prolonged meet and unite; their par- 

 ticles taking on that very uniform linear arrangement by which the 



Development of fibres from 

 cells, a Circular or oval nu- 

 cleated cells. &. The same, be- 

 coming pointed, c. The same, 

 become fusiform, the nuclei 

 being still apparent, d. The 

 same, elongated into fibres, the 

 nuclei having disappeared. 



1 Paget's "Lectures on the Processes of Repair and Reproduction after Injuries," 

 in Medical Gazette, 1849, vol. xliii. p. 1069. 



