Areolar Tissue

Areolar connective tissue is made of cells and an extracellular matrix. The matrix is made of fibres and ground substances. The ground substance has no structure, so we cannot tell that it is present there, but occupies each of the spaces between the cells and filaments.

Areolar connective tissue is available across the body, particularly in those organ frameworks with external openings. The clearest of these frameworks is most likely the skin, which is essentially outside, and hence areolar connective tissues are found underneath the dermis layer of the skin. As we age, this tissue begins to shrink and gets stiffer, which thus brings on some issues like backache and skin hanging.

What is Areolar Tissue?

• Connective tissues are groups of cells that play connective, separative, or supportive roles for organs and different tissues in the body.

• A wide range of connective tissue comprises a non-living extracellular network (ECM), as well as living cell parts.

• Areolar connective tissue is the most abundant type of connective tissue in vertebrate organisms.

• It is frequently called loose connective tissue.

• It consists of cells along with a loose gel matrix.

• Scientists say that areolar tissue is really a subtype of loose tissue, alongside fat and reticular tissue.

• Free or areolar connective tissue has a tough yet flexible nature and gives padding to numerous organs and tissues of the body.
  
  

Image: Areolar Connective Tissue

Characteristics of Areolar Tissue

• It is characterised by an abundance of ground substance, in addition to thin and somewhat few filaments and cells.

• These fibres are secreted by cells known as fibroblasts and give this tissue a free, network-like appearance.

• Collagen, reticular and elastic fibres form the mesh structure of these connective tissues.

• These contain different types of cells such as macrophages, mast cells, adipocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells.

• Fibres make a discernible woven or web-type design.

• There are various sorts of fibres running in every direction.

• Areolar Tissue Location: It is present between skin and muscles, around the blood vessels and nerves, in the bone marrow and in organs that have external openings like the digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.

• It forms the lamina propria of the mucous membrane, packages organs and surrounds capillaries.

• It is also the site of numerous inflammatory and immune reactions.

Areolar Tissue Function

• It connects the skin and muscles.

• It is used to fill spaces inside the organs.

• It also helps in the repair of damaged tissues.

• It plays an important role in inflammation, and also holds and conveys tissue fluid.

• It helps in protecting the internal organs by providing them with support and cushioning.

• It provides support, strength, and elasticity.

• It acts as a reservoir of various salts and water for the surrounding tissue.

• Almost all cells get their nutrients and waste out through areolar connective tissue.

Types of Areolar Connective Tissue

• There are two types of areolar tissues: Loose Connective Tissue and Dense Connective Tissue.

• Loose (areolar) connective tissue is the most abundant type of collagenous connective tissue. It happens in little, prolonged packs that are isolated by regions that contain the ground substances.

• Dense connective tissue is abundant in collagen strands with little ground substance.

• Tendons and ligaments form the dense connective tissue.

• Tendons connect muscles to bones, whereas ligaments connect bones with other bones.

Conclusion

This article gives insight into areolar connective tissue, which is a kind of connective tissue comprising a gel-like matrix. It consists of different types of cells like fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages, and fat cells. Areolar connective tissue is the sort of tissue that associates and surrounds various organs in the human body. The significant capability of this kind of tissue is that it gives nourishment to the cells and, furthermore, acts as a pad to shield the organs from external forces.