Wharton's Jelly is a characteristic component of which tissue?

Wharton's Jelly is a characteristic component of which tissue?

• A. Dense regular connective tissue
• B. Areolar tissue
• C. Reticular connective tissue
• D. Mucoid connective tissue

Answer: (D)

Wharton's jelly is the gelatinous, mucous-like connective tissue that fills the umbilical cord. This mucoid connective tissue has a ground substance rich in hyaluronic acid with relatively few cells, giving it a soft, jelly-like consistency that cushions and protects the umbilical vessels. This contrasts with dense regular connective tissue, which is dominated by tightly packed parallel collagen fibers; areolar tissue, which is a loose network with more prominent fibers and cells; and reticular connective tissue, which forms a network of reticular fibers. So the tissue type described by Wharton’s jelly is mucoid connective tissue.

Wharton's jelly is the gelatinous, mucous-like connective tissue that fills the umbilical cord. This mucoid connective tissue has a ground substance rich in hyaluronic acid with relatively few cells, giving it a soft, jelly-like consistency that cushions and protects the umbilical vessels. This contrasts with dense regular connective tissue, which is dominated by tightly packed parallel collagen fibers; areolar tissue, which is a loose network with more prominent fibers and cells; and reticular connective tissue, which forms a network of reticular fibers. So the tissue type described by Wharton’s jelly is mucoid connective tissue.