Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does body fat cushion internal organs?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Fat
Palmitic acid is one of the most prevalent fatty acids occurring in the oils and fats of animals; it also occurs naturally in palm oil. It is generated through the addition of an acetyl group to multiple malonyl groups connected by single bonds between carbons. This structure forms a saturated acid—a major component of solid glycerides.
Body fat cushions internal organs through the presence of white adipose tissue, which forms soft, elastic pads between various structures in the body.12
These fat deposits are strategically located in areas such as between the muscles, among the intestines and within their membrane folds (mesentery), and around the heart. By acting as a structural network, this tissue provides a protective, cushioning layer that helps support and shield these vital organs from physical impact.12