dr. Susianti, M.Sc.

I.

GENERAL FEATURES OF
ADIPOSE TISSUE

Connective tissue to store fuel

Adipocytes deposit triglyceride in

droplets
Adipocytes scattered depending on
such factors
Clusters of adipocytes are divide into
lobes and lobules by septa

 Individual adipocytes surrounded by

network of reticular fibers
2 types of adipose tissue:
- White adipose tissue/ white fat
(Unilocular adipose tissue)
- Brown adipose tissue/ brown fat
(Multilocular adipose tissue)

II. WHITE ADIPOSE TISSUE

A. Distinguishing features

Single fat droplet in each cell

Nucleus and cytoplasm at the cell periphery
Cell diameter from 50 to 150 m
In histologic section signet-ring
appearance
sometimes termed yellow adipose tissue or
yellow fat

White adipose tissue

B. Distribution

Subcutaneus fat
Intra-abdominal fat
Other locations

C. Functional Characteristics
1. Factors enhancing lipid up take
(lipogenic influences)
2. Factors enhancing lipid mobilization
(lipolytic influences)

D. Histogenesis
Derive from mesenchymal precursor cells
Lipoblas Unilocular adipocyte

III. BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE

A. Distinguishing features

Multiple small lipid droplets in each cell

Smaller than white adipocytes
Spheric, centrally located nucleus
Reddish-brown tissue color is due to
mitochondrial cytochrom
Lobular appearance

Brown Adipose Tissue

 The vascular supply is very rich

Many unmyelinated nerve fibers
contact with the adipocytes
B. Distribution
Less than white adipose tissue
Fetus or newborns have in the
axilla, posterior triangle of the
neck, and the renal hilus

Distribution of adipose tissue. In human newborn, multilocular adipose

tissue constitutes 2 5 % of the body weight and is distributed as
shown. The areas indicate multilocular adipose tissue ; shahed areas, a
mixture of multilocular and unilocular adipose tissue.

C. Functional Characteristics
The same function with white
adipose tissue, but more intense
and can lead to generation of heat.
D. Histogenesis
Derived from mesenchymal
precursor cells
assume an epithelial shape and
arrangement lipoblast
multilocular adipocyte.