Identify the tissue type.

• A. Dense regular connective tissue
• B. Loose adipose tissue
• C. Hyaline cartilage
• D. Smooth muscle

Answer: (B)

Adipose tissue is identified by large, round adipocytes that store fat in a single, large lipid droplet. Because the lipid is removed during histological processing, the cytoplasm appears clear and the nucleus is squeezed to the cell periphery. This tissue is a form of loose connective tissue with abundant adipocytes and relatively little extracellular matrix, often with a rich capillary network to supply the lipid stores. This pattern distinguishes it from dense regular connective tissue (parallel collagen fibers with fibroblasts), hyaline cartilage (chondrocytes in lacunae within a glassy matrix), and smooth muscle (spindle-shaped cells with a central nucleus in bundles). The cells’ appearance and arrangement point to loose adipose tissue.