White adipose tissue
White Adipose Tissue
White adipose tissue (pronunciation: /waɪt ˈædɪˌpoʊs ˈtɪʃuː/), also known as WAT, is a type of fat that is primarily located beneath the skin and around internal organs. It is one of the two types of adipose tissue, the other being brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Etymology
The term "adipose" is derived from the Latin "adeps", meaning "fat". The "white" in white adipose tissue refers to its color, which is due to the high lipid content.
Function
White adipose tissue serves as the body's main storage site for lipids, specifically triglycerides. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's energy balance by releasing fatty acids and glycerol during periods of energy expenditure. In addition to its role in energy storage, white adipose tissue also produces and secretes various hormones and cytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, which are involved in the regulation of appetite, metabolism, and insulin resistance.
Related Terms
- Adipocyte: The cell type that makes up adipose tissue. White adipocytes are characterized by a large lipid droplet that pushes the nucleus to the periphery of the cell.
- Adipogenesis: The process by which new adipocytes are formed from precursor cells.
- Lipolysis: The breakdown of lipids, which is a key function of white adipose tissue.
- Lipogenesis: The process of lipid production in the body, which occurs in white adipose tissue.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.