This low magnification image from the human umbilical cord shows the characteristic
appearance of mucous connective tissue: sparsely scattered cells; sinuous
collagen fibers; and lots of ground substance, which is unstained. About half
of the nuclei seen belong to fibroblasts and the other half to macrophages,
although it is usually not possible to tell them apart. The mucous connective
tissue of the umbilical cord is known as Wharton's jelly, because of its gelatinous
consistency.
