Ground substance is a term for the non-cellular components of extracellular matrix containing the fibers.^[1]

It is usually not visible on slides, because it is removed during the preparation process.^[2]

Cells are surrounded by extracellular matrix in tissues, which acts as a support for the cells. Ground substance traditionally does not include collagen but does include all the other proteinaceous components, including proteoglycans, matrix proteins and, most prevalent, water. The non-collagenous components of extracellular matrix will vary depending on the tissue where it is found.

Ground substance is amorphous, gel-like, and is primarily composed of glycosaminoglycans (most notably hyaluronan), proteoglycans, and glycoproteins.

It is a connective tissue and along with Collagen Type 1 can be mineralized which is the form found in bone.

The meaning of the term has evolved over time.^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ground+substance at eMedicine Dictionary
• Diagram at mhhe.com
• Histology at KUMC ct-ct15 - "Umbilical Cord"

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v • d • e Histology: connective tissue Classification Proper/ Fibrous Loose Areolar · Reticular non-fibrous: Adipose (Brown, White) Dense Dense irregular connective tissue (Submucosa, Dermis) · Dense regular connective tissue (Ligament, Tendon, Aponeurosis) Embryonic Mucous · Mesenchymal Specialized Cartilage · Bone · Blood Composition Extracellular matrix (noncellular) Ground substance Tissue fluid Fibers Reticular fibers: Collagen Elastic fibers: Fibrillin (FBN1, FBN2, FBN3) Cells Resident Fibroblast · Reticular cell · Tendon cell Adipocyte Chondroblast · Osteoblast Wandering cell Mast cell · Macrophage see also soft tissue integument, SF, LCT navs: anat/physio, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc muscle, DF+DRCT navs: anat/hist/physio, acquired myopathy/congenital myopathy/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc