The toughness of adipose tissue: measurements and physical basis

Kerstyn Comley; Norman A Fleck

doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.02.029

The toughness of adipose tissue: measurements and physical basis

J Biomech. 2010 Jun 18;43(9):1823-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.02.029. Epub 2010 Mar 7.

Authors

Kerstyn Comley¹, Norman A Fleck

Affiliation

¹ Department of Engineering, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB1 2PZ, UK.

PMID: 20211469
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.02.029

Abstract

The measured toughness J(C) of adipose and dermal porcine tissues are 4.1 and 17 kJ m(-2), respectively, via a trouser tear test. An assessment is made of the contribution to overall toughness from the microstructural elements. The analysis suggests that the toughness of adipose tissue is determined by the collagen network that surrounds the adipocytes. The volume fraction of the interlobular septa is sufficiently low for it to make a negligible contribution to the macroscopic toughness.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adipose Tissue / physiology*
Adipose Tissue / ultrastructure*
Animals
Computer Simulation
In Vitro Techniques
Models, Biological*
Stress, Mechanical
Swine
Tensile Strength / physiology