Subcutaneous vs Visceral Fat: Location and Functions

Questions and Answers

In the muscles and bones

Just beneath the skin (correct)

Deep within the abdominal cavity

Around the heart and lungs

To protect internal organs from injury

To serve as an energy reserve (correct)

To release fatty acids and hormones into the bloodstream

To regulate body temperature

Visceral fat drains into the systemic veins, while subcutaneous fat drains into the portal vein

Visceral fat has a faster venous drainage rate than subcutaneous fat

Visceral fat has a slower venous drainage rate than subcutaneous fat

Visceral fat drains into the portal vein, while subcutaneous fat drains into the systemic veins (correct)

It can release fatty acids, hormones, and inflammatory substances into the bloodstream Signup and view all the answers

Deep within the abdominal cavity, surrounding the organs Signup and view all the answers

It plays a role in endocrine regulation Signup and view all the answers

Subcutaneous fat is harmless, while visceral fat is harmful to health Signup and view all the answers

It releases fatty acids and hormones into the bloodstream Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Subcutaneous fat lies just beneath the skin and can be seen from the outside.
Visceral fat lies deep within the abdominal cavity and surrounds organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Subcutaneous fat serves as an energy reserve and is generally harmless.
Visceral fat releases fatty acids, hormones, and inflammatory substances directly into the portal vein, which leads to the liver, posing health risks.

Visceral fat has direct venous drainage to the liver through the portal vein, providing direct hepatic access to free fatty acids.
Subcutaneous fat has venous drainage through systemic veins, which does not pose the same health risks as visceral fat.

Visceral fat plays a role in endocrine regulation, with factors expressed and released by adipose tissue.

Subcutaneous fat is harmless and serves as an energy reserve, while visceral fat can endanger health due to its release of harmful substances into the portal vein.