Mesenchyme

Mesenchyme
Mesenchyme showing a typical cell and matrix.
Mesenchyme (pointer) stained with H&E
Latin	mesenchyma
Carnegie stage	6b
Precursor	primarily mesoderm
Code	TE E5.16.4.0.3.0.18

Mesenchyme, or mesenchymal connective tissue, is a type of undifferentiated loose connective tissue that is derived mostly from mesoderm, although some are derived from other germ layers; e.g. some mesenchyme is derived from neural crest cells and thus originates from the ectoderm. In fact, most embryologists use the term mesenchyme only for those cells that develop from the mesoderm. The term mesenchyme essentially refers to the morphology of embryonic cells. Mesenchymal cells can migrate easily, unlike epithelial cells, which do not show great mobility and which are polygonal in shape, polarized in an apical-basal orientation, and organized into closely adherent sheets. Mesenchyme is characterized morphologically by a prominent ground substance matrix containing a loose aggregate of reticular fibrils and unspecialized cells.^[1] The cells are capable of developing into connective tissue, such as bone, and cartilage, the lymphatic system, and the circulatory system.^[2][3]

See also

• Ectomesenchyme
• Splanchnopleuric mesenchyme
• Somatopleuric mesenchyme
• Intramembranous ossification
• Mesenchymal stem cell
• Mesoderm
• Mesohyl, the gelatinous matrix in sponges, was formerly also called mesenchyme.

References

1. ^ Mesenchymal tissue
2. ^ Strum, Judy M.; Gartner, Leslie P.; Hiatt, James L. (2007). Cell biology and histology. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 83. ISBN 0-7817-8577-4. 
3. ^ Sadler, T.W. (2006). Langman's Medical Embryology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 68–70. ISBN 0-7817-9485-4. 

External links

• Overview at University of Edinburgh