Connective Tissues – Embryonic/Fetal
Mucous CT Fetal 400X
The section of the fetal umbilical cord exhibits an extracellular mucous connective tissue, known as Wharton's jelly. The consistency of the matrix ground substance is soft and gelatin-like. A loose arrangement of collagen bundles (arrows) and spindle-shaped fibroblasts (Fb) are present in the matrix. Mucous connective tissue is also found deep to the fetal skin.
Mesenchymal CT Fetal 400X
The micrograph shows the mesenchymal connective tissue of the fetus. The semi-fluid matrix or ground substance contains thin reticular fibers which are only vaguely apparent in the image. Collagen fibers are lacking in this tissue. The mesenchymal cells (arrows) in the section are very immature, but as they mature and differentiate, new organs are formed.
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