Subcutaneous tissue

It consists primarily of loose connective tissue and contains larger blood vessels and nerves than those found in the dermis.

The hypodermis forms an important insulating layer and/or food store in some animals, such as whales and hibernating mammals.

It is often mechanically strengthened, for example, in pine leaves, forming an extra protective layer or a water storage tissue.

[10]: 135  Subcutaneous injection is believed to be the most effective manner to administer some drugs, such as human growth hormones.

Just as the subcutaneous tissue can store fat, it can also provide good storage space for drugs that need to be released gradually because of limited blood flow.

Two computed tomography images of a horizontal section of the mid-abdominal region; one from a normal-weight individual and the other from an obese person. In both, the bony structures and organs appear similar. The primary difference is that in the normal-weight person, there is little subcutaneous fat, and the obese person shows substantially subcutaneous fat.
Cross-sections of the torso of a person of normal weight (left) and an obese person (right), taken by CT scan . Note the 3.6 cm (1.4 inches) of subcutaneous fat on the obese person.