Carpenter's principles of human physiology . e all circumstances predisposingto the accumulation of fat. It is probable that every form of cell may becomeinfiltrated with fat, as a stage or form of degeneration. Fat fulfils the followingimportant objects in the animal economy:—It diffuses pressure, and is,therefore, largely developed on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet,buttocks, and female breast. By its disposition beneath the skin generally,it forms a warm investment for the body that materially diminishes the lossof heat by radiation and conduction; at the same time it gives a smoo
Carpenter's principles of human physiology . e all circumstances predisposingto the accumulation of fat. It is probable that every form of cell may becomeinfiltrated with fat, as a stage or form of degeneration. Fat fulfils the followingimportant objects in the animal economy:—It diffuses pressure, and is,therefore, largely developed on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet,buttocks, and female breast. By its disposition beneath the skin generally,it forms a warm investment for the body that materially diminishes the lossof heat by radiation and conduction; at the same time it gives a smooth,flowing, and agreeable contour to the surface which otherwise, especiallynear the joints, would present hard and angular outlines. It forms an elasticpad, or cushion, in the orbit, on which the eye can rotate; and in the heart,by filling up the interstices of the vessels and the irregularities of its surface,it fulfils a similar function, enabling this organ to perform its ceaseless move-* Toldt, Lehrbuch der Gewebelebre, 1877, p. Four fat cells, with interveningconnective tissue. 44 CONNECTIVE TISSUES—CARTILAGE. Fro. 30. ments with the least possible amount of friction. It confers lightness, andprobably a certain degree of elasticity, on the bones—as well, indeed, as onall other tissues into the composition of which it enters. It constitutes astorehouse or reserve fund of hydrocarbonaceous material, which, whenrequired by the economy, can readily be absorbed into the blood; the processof absorption being facilitated—as Matteucci has shown—by the alkalinity ofthe fluid that moistens the outer surface of the cells. Lastly, if we may judgefrom its constant presence when these processes are taking place, it plays an im-portant part in the acts of nutrition, growth and development. Its sp. gr. is to M. F. Czajewicz,* the cells of adipose tissue originate in the corpuscles of ordinary connective , in any part that is about to becomethe
Size: 1581px × 1581px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectphysiology, bookyear1
