Adipeus

Adipeus is a term used in some medical vocabularies to denote adipose tissue, the body's fat tissue composed of adipocytes. Adipose tissue serves as a major energy reserve by storing triglycerides and releasing fatty acids when needed. It also provides mechanical cushioning and insulation, and it functions as an endocrine organ, secreting signaling molecules known as adipokines that influence metabolism and inflammation.

There are several adipose tissue types. White adipose tissue (WAT) stores energy as triglycerides and forms the majority of adipose mass. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy as heat through thermogenesis. Beige adipocytes can appear within WAT in response to cold or other stimuli and may contribute to thermogenic activity.

Adipeus is distributed throughout the body. Subcutaneous adipose tissue lies beneath the skin, while visceral adipose tissue surrounds internal organs. Marrow adipose tissue is found in the bone marrow, and fat deposits occur around muscles and within various organs. The distribution and quantity of adipose tissue influence metabolic risk beyond overall body weight.

Adipocytes originate from mesenchymal precursors and differentiate under the control of transcription factors such as PPAR-gamma and C/EBP-alpha. The tissue expands by adipocyte hypertrophy and, later, adipogenesis. Its activity is modulated by hormones, nutritional status, and environmental temperature, reflecting its dynamic role in energy balance.

Clinical relevance includes the association between excess adipose tissue—especially visceral fat—and obesity-related metabolic disorders, as well as conditions of deficient adipose tissue like lipodystrophies. Measurement uses imaging methods (MRI, CT, DEXA) and proxies such as body mass index, though BMI does not distinguish fat from other tissues.