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Which connective-tissue cells are stationary and which can migrate?

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Collagenous fibers — connective tissue Randomly oriented collagenous fibers of varying size in a thin spread of loose areolar connective tissue (magnified about 370 ×).

In connective tissue, cells are generally categorized by their mobility within the extracellular matrix.

Stationary Cells

These cells typically reside within the tissue to maintain its structure and store nutrients:
* Fibroblasts: The principal active cells of connective tissue, they secrete tropocollagen and ground substance to maintain the extracellular matrix. While they are generally stationary, they are capable of migrating to sites of injury to facilitate wound healing.123
* Adipose cells: Specialized for the synthesis and storage of lipids, these cells reside in connective tissue, often near small blood vessels.1
* Fibrocytes: These cells reside in the tissue stroma and are believed to regulate fibroblast activity.12

Migrating Cells

These "wandering" cells reside in the interstices of loose connective tissue and are free to move through extracellular spaces, often arriving from the bloodstream:
* Mast cells: Contain granules of histamine and heparin and respond to irritation.4
* Eosinophils: A type of leukocyte that migrates from capillaries into connective tissue.4
* Plasma cells: Antibody-secreting cells derived from lymphocytes, which can leave the blood to migrate through connective tissue.4
* Macrophages: Derived from circulating monocytes, these mobile scavenger cells perform phagocytosis.4
* Neutrophilic leukocytes: These migrate into connective tissue in large numbers during inflammation to destroy bacteria.4