Loose Connective Tissue    [Back]

Loose connective tissue is characterized by a loose array of collagen strands, which are produced by fibroblasts. The fibroblast nuclei will be dark and rod-shaped. How would we differentiate a fibroblast from a fibrocyte? Loose connective tissue is also more cellular than dense connective tissue partially due to the presence of many white blood cells, primarily macrophages. Can you identify neutrophils in the image? They will be slightly smaller, have a segmented nucleus and may also phagocytize ink. Go to the adipose tissue region to see a close-up of a macrophage.