Loose connective tissue includes areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and adipose tissue. It connects epithelial tissue to underlying tissues by collagenous and elastic fibers in a gelatinous ground substance. It holds organs in place, provides nutrition and waste removal to epithelium, and acts as a reservoir of water and salts for surrounding tissues. Swelling of loose connective tissue rich organs like the eyelids can indicate renal failure or nephrotic syndrome.

1. LOOSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE

3. Def:Category of connective tissue which includes areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and
adipose tissue
Content:The cells of this type of tissue are generally connected by a gelatinous
substance known as ground substance primarily made up of collagenous and elastic
fibers.
Location:every epithelium rests on a layer of areolar tissue, whose blood vessels
provide the epithelium with nutrition, waste removal, and a ready supply of
infection-fighting leukocytes when needed
Function:connective tissue holds organs in place and attaches epithelial tissue to
other underlying tissues. It also serves as a reservoir of water and salts for
surrounding tissues. Almost all cells obtain their nutrients from and release their
wastes into areolar connective tissue
Clinical:Organs that are rich in loose connective tissue (such as the eyelids) are
usually sites that undergo oedema, indicating renal failure or nephrotic syndrome.
Therefore, periorbital swelling is one characteristic finding in severe renal disease

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgHBBfjf1wShotgun Histology Areolar Connective Tissue