The fatty pad of the skin is composed |adipose tissue|, which is one of the many different types of connective tissue found in the human body. Connective tissue composes the |dermis| of the skin. Unlike the cells of the epithelial layer of the |epidermis|, which are crowded close together, the cells of connective tissue are scattered far apart with many |fibers| between them. |Adipose tissue| (fat cells) is a metabolically active tissue that acts as a reserve supply of energy by storing fat and releasing it in response to a variety of nervous and hormonal stimuli. It also acts as an insulator to help maintain body temperature and acts as a protective padding in the fingers. |Adipose tissue| also helps smooth out the contours of the fingertips.
