ground substance
- Also called matrix. the homogeneous substance in which the fibers and cells of connective tissue are embedded.
- Also called hyaloplasm. the clear portion of the cell cytoplasm; cytosol.
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Origin of ground substance
First recorded in 1880–85
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ground substance
Historical Examples
All these tissues consist of a ground-substance, or matrix, cells, and fibers.
A Practical PhysiologyAlbert F. Blaisdell
The ground-substance is in small amount in connective tissues proper, and is obscured by a mass of fibers.
A Practical PhysiologyAlbert F. Blaisdell
ground substance
- The amorphous intercellular material in which the cells and fibers of connective tissue are embedded, composed of proteoglycans, plasma constituents, metabolites, water, and ions present between cells and fibers.matrix
- hyaloplasm
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
ground substance
- The intercellular material in which the cells and fibers of connective tissue are embedded, composed largely of glycosaminoglycans, metabolites, water, and ions.
- The clear, fluid portion of cytoplasm as distinguished from the organelles and other cell components.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.