Loose Connective Tissue-Lip

Loose connective tissue from the center part of a human lip. Collagen fibers span the tissue in different directions, some of the fibers are quite strong. In the upper part of the figure, the fibers are more loosely arranged. There are also clearly more connective tissue cells in that area. Vascularized loose connective tissue shows plasticity, and it is soft and pliable. In cases of inflammation or some systemic diseases, it is capable of storing large volumes of water  (edema, “swollen cheek”). Loose connective tissue is particularly abundant as subcutaneous layer.

Stain: azan; magnification: × 200

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgart · New York .