

ADIPOSE TISSUE. 299 



3. The intercellular areolar tissue has the same composition as 

 areolar tissue in other situations (p. 287). 



It should be added that a small amount of serous fluid bathes the 

 fat-cells the intercellular fluid; and which does not differ in com- 

 position from that in the areolae of the areolar tissue. 



Distribution of Adipose Tissue in Man. 



This tissue is very generally diffused throughout the human 

 organism, and in the adult usually constitutes about 3 V part of the 

 weight of the body. In women and children, however, it averages 

 somewhat more than this proportion. 



It has been seen (p. 290), that fat-cells exist in the areolse of the 

 superficial fascia, in most situations. This is, however, not much 

 developed in the foetus till the sixth month, and hence a foetus born 

 at or before this period, has a peculiar shrivelled look ; while at the 

 full term it is plump and well-rounded. Some of the areolar fluid 

 also remains between the fat-cells in the superficial fascia. 



In the following parts, fat is most abundant in the adult; upon 

 the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands ; upon the pubes 

 and the nates; around the mammary gland of the female; upon the 

 great omentum, and beneath the skin of the abdomen. 1 It is also 

 accumulated between the inner layer of the pericardium and the 

 substance of the heart; around the origin of the large vessels; in 

 the orbital cavity; in the spinal canal, outside of the theca verte- 

 bralis, and in the medullary cavities of the bones. In cases of the 

 extremest emaciation, the fat does not entirely disappear in the 

 parts mentioned in the preceding sentence. Fat is also deposited 

 around joints, and in many fossae. The fat in bones is called mar- 

 row, and differs from ordinary adipose tissue only inasmuch as its 

 cells contain somewhat more oleine (Lehmanri) ; are more globular, 

 from not being exposed to pressure ; and in containing but a slight 

 admixture of areolar tissue. 



On the other hand, since the contents of the fat-cells are liable to 

 undergo sudden variations in quantity, there are certain parts in 

 which no adipose tissue is ever found. These are the eyelids, the 

 ears (except the lobule),. the lungs, the penis and scrotum, the cli- 

 toris, the nymphge, between the rectum and bladder in the male, 

 and between the rectum and vagina in the female ; on the brain and 



1 In those situations where the areolse of the subcutaneous areolar tissue inclose 

 fat-cells, Kolliker terms it the panniculus adiposus. 



