Histological aspects of connective tissue septa in the adult female pelvic region.

From very thick 7-8 cm thick sections of adult female specimine parts of the connective tissue septa system were isolated and their relationships to muscles, viscera and vessels were studied histologically. Following the identification of an integrated system of pelvic connective tissue septa as described in previous articles biomechanical views were formulated. The consideration of these views led to new questions concerning the correlation of the structure of the connective tissue septa at different places in the entire pelvic region. The septa appeared to continue uninterrupted into the fascia and the perimysium of the muscles. The interrelationships of the connective tissue fibres, the adipose tissue and the vessels is described. The adventitia of the pelvic veins are firmly attached to the connective tissue septa. The groundsubstance of the adipose tissue appeared to contain hydrophilic acid mucopolysaccharides. The arteries were found close to the septa but not attached to them freely embedded in the adipose tissue. The connective tissue septa appeared to be built as multi-layered, "puff-pastry"-like arranged structures. The possible functional aspects of the interrelationships of the connective tissue septa system with the vascular system are discussed.