interstitial tissue

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June 29, 2026

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The term "interstitial tissue" is synonymous with "conjunctive tissue". In multicellular organisms, cells specialize and organize into tissues, which are composed of cells and the extracellular space between them. This extracellular space is filled with a material called the extracellular matrix, which includes interstitial fluid and fibrous proteins.12

Mesenchymal tissue, a type of tissue, synthesizes a hydrated gel known as the interstitial matrix. Connective tissue is a form of mesenchyme that supports other tissues. The composition of the extracellular matrix, including its water content, polysaccharides, and proteins, determines the consistency of connective tissues, ranging from rigid bone to flexible tendons. Epithelial tissues, the other main type, form sheets of cells with a basal lamina on their undersides that interfaces with connective tissue.2

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