Areolar tissue is a loose connective tissue found under the skin, between muscles, bones, around organs, blood vessels and peritoneum. It is composed of fibres and cells.
The matrix of areolar tissues contains two types of fibres i.e. white fibres and yellow fibres.
a. White fibres: They are made up of collagen and give tensile strength to the tissue.
b. Yellow fibres: They are made up of elastin and are elastic in nature.
The four different types of cells present in this tissue are as follows:
a. Fibroblast: Large flat cells having branching processes. They produce fibres as well as polysaccharides that form the ground substance or matrix of the tissue.
b. Mast cells: Oval cells that secrete heparin and histamine.
c. Macrophages: Amoeboid, phagocytic cells.
d. Adipocytes (Fat cells): These cells store fat and have eccentric nucleus.
