Adipose tissue and lipid composition Adipose tissue Adipose

Adipose tissue and lipid composition

Adipose tissue • Adipose tissue is an anatomical (relating to the body) term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes (fat cells) • Main role is to store energy in the form of fat • Also cushions and insulates the body

Adipose tissue • Provides insulation, support, protection of vital organs (liver, heart, lungs, etc. ) and provides flavor in meat that we eat. • Also a source of hormones

Anatomy of Fat • Adipose tissue occurs in specific sites called adipose tissue depots • Seen in most all areas of the body – Visceral (around stomach and vital organs) – Subcutaneous (under the skin) – Between and within muscles

Visceral Fat • Mesenteric – located around the intestines • Caul – think sheet of fat located over the stomach • Perirenal fat – kidney fat (renal refers to kidney) • Leaf Fat – located between the lining of the thoracic cavity (chest cavity) and the ribs

Subcutaneous Fat • Fat under the skin – back fat, butt fat, external fat (what society considers “fat”) • Consists of 3 layers – Outer layer – first to develop and acts as insulation – Middle layer – 2 nd layer to develop and usually the thickest – Inner Layer – last to develop and very thin

Muscular Fat • Intermuscular Fat – between the muscles • Intramuscular fat – within each muscle

Factors affecting adipose tissue composition and lipid metabolism 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Cellularity and age Anatomical location Species Sex Genetics Hormones Nutrition Environmental Temperature