Key Histology Features

Instructions: Run your mouse over the histology slide want to view. Key histology features are described. If a link is present, click to view and listen to the histology audioslide.

(1) histology slide of areolar tissue (2) histology slide of areolar tissue

Areolar Connective Tissue

Areolar connective tissue is loose irregular connective tissue. There are fibers oriented in all directions and cells interspersed in abundant matrix.  Some of the fibers are thick and some are thin.  The collagen fibers are thicker than the elastic fibers. The elastic fibers stain more darkly purple.  Open spaces in the matrix are seen.

Histology slides courtesy of Mt. Hood Community College.