Page 176 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 5.4 ■ A connective tissue, a capillary, and a mast cell in the mesentery

of a small intestine. Stain: Mallory-Azan. ×205.

FIGURE 5.5 | Embryonic Connective Tissue

The embryonic connective tissue resembles the mesenchyme or mucous

connective tissue; this is loose and irregular connective tissue. The difference in
ground substance (semifluid vs. jelly-like) is not apparent in these sections.

The fibroblasts (4) are numerous, and fine collagen fibers (1) are found
between them, some coming in close contact with fibroblasts. The embryonic

connective tissue is vascular. Capillaries (3) lined with endothelium and filled
with RBCs (2) are visible in the ground substance.

At higher magnification, primitive fibroblasts (5) are seen as large,
branching cells with cytoplasm, prominent cytoplasmic processes, an ovoid
nucleus with fine chromatin, and one or more nucleoli. The widely separated

collagen fibers (6) are more apparent at this magnification.

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