Areolar tissue is found in the skin, nerves, and blood vessels, and surrounds the organs and the mucous membranes.
Areolar tissue is a meshwork of collagen and elastic fibers with different types of cells such as fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages, and adipocytes present in the jelly-like extracellular matrix.
The fibroblasts secrete the collagen and elastic fibers that give strength and flexibility to the tissue which provides support to various internal organs.
The fibroblasts also play a role in tissue repair.
The extracellular matrix helps to supply nutrients and remove waste products to and from the epithelial tissues by diffusion as epithelial cells are avascular.
It also connects the skin to the deeper tissues of the body.