definitions

ground substance

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noun Biology.

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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Nearby words

ground sloth, ground sluice, ground squirrel, ground state, ground stroke, ground substance, ground tackle, ground tissue, ground track, ground water, ground wave

Origin of ground substance

First recorded in 1880–85
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ground substance

  • All these tissues consist of a ground-substance, or matrix, cells, and fibers.

    A Practical Physiology|Albert F. Blaisdell

  • The ground-substance is in small amount in connective tissues proper, and is obscured by a mass of fibers.

    A Practical Physiology|Albert F. Blaisdell

Medicine definitions for ground substance

ground substance

n.

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
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for ground substance

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.