CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER LOOSE areolar:
• The fibroblasts are embedded in the matrix: they do not lie in lacunae (chambers within the matrix).
• The fibers are loosely woven and thus the ground substance is highly visible.
• The three types of fibers (collagen, elastic and reticular) are present in roughly the same amount.
• Many accessory cells (macrophages, mast cells, ...) can be found in these tissues.
• It is the most widely distributed connective tissue in the body.
• Connective tissue proper loose areolar is a soft pliable tissue that serves as a general packaging material. It packages organs, wraps small blood vessels and nerves, surrounds glands, forms the superficial part of the dermis as well as the hypodermis which attaches the skin to underlying structures. It is present in all mucous membranes as the lamina propria.