Question

What type of connective tissue anchors the skin to underlying muscle?

Answer 1

The answer is HYPODERMIS, a subcutaneous layer, made of areolar tissue.

Explanation:

The hypodermis is the deepest layer of the skin, and it consists of loose connective tissue called areolar tissue. As stated in the question, it connects the upper layers of the skin (the epidermis and dermis) to underlying muscle, acting like a glue.

Areolar tissue is made up of fibroblast cells which secrete fibrous elements of the matrix i.e. collagen, elastin and reticulin.

There are different immune system cells in areolar tissue: plasma cells, mast cells, and macrophages .

Most importantly, there are fat cells or adipocytes .