Connective Tissue Proper: Areolar & Reticular CT

Areolar connective tissue (CT) is the most unorganized and common form of CT within the human body. It is found underneath the basement membranes of epithelial tissues, between muscle cells, etc. I mentioned in the last packet (cells and functions of CT) that areolar CT is like the glue of the body. Think of the last time you ate chicken. When you use your fork or hands to pry the meat apart or from the bone you hear a peeling sound as you do so. That peeling sound is you breaking apart the glue (areolar CT) between the muscle cells of the meat. Or when you peel the skin off of the chicken you are also breaking apart the areolar CT.

Areolar CT is primarily composed of fibroblasts and a mix of collagen, elastin, and reticular fibers (depending on the location). Since this tissue is composed of only cells and fibers in a loose arrengement there is a lot of space to work with. Blood vessels, nerves and glands can for networks within areolar CT. This is an especially important feature to have when you find this directly under the basement membrane of epithelial CT. Remember that epithelial cells are tightly packed and have no direct blood supply so they must rely on blood from down below the basement membrane.

Reticular CT is found in the skin and forms the frameork of lymphatic organs. Reticular CT is composed of short, branched collagen fibers that allow for lots of space. Being that the majority of reticular CT is found within lmphatic organs it is heavily populated by leukocytes (white blood cells). The organs that this particular tissue forms the framework for are: spleen, tonsils, patches, thymus, bone marrow