Chapter 4 - Part B (Part 4)

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Has the same elements as dense regular, but its bundles of collagen are thicker and irregularly arranged; forms sheets rather than bundles and can resist tension from many different directions.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Has very high tensile strength that can withstand high tension and stretching. Has very few cells and ground substance, is comprised of mostly fibers, and is poorly vascularized; its fibroblasts manufacture the collagen fibers and ground substance.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue Function

Withstands tension exerted in many directions; provides structural strength.

Elastic Connective Tissue Function

Allows recoil of tissue following stretching; maintains pulsatile flow of blood through arteries; aids passive recoil of lungs following inspiration.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue Function

Attaches muscles to bones or to muscles; attaches bones to bones; withstands great tensile stress when pulling force is applied in one direction

Elastic Connective Tissue

Dense regular connective tissue containing a high proportion of very elastic ligaments and fibers; ligaments connecting to adjacent vertebrae must be very elastic.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue Fibers

Is comprised of closely packed bundles of thick collagen fibers that run parallel to the direction of pull; its fibers appear as white structures which offer great resistance to pulling forces; its fibers are slightly wavy, so they stretch little.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue Location

Located in fibrous capsules of joints and organs, the dermis of the skin, and in the submucosa of the digestive tract.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue Location

Located in tendons, most ligaments, and aponeuroses.

Elastic Connective Tissue Location

Located in the walls of large arteries, within certain ligaments associated with the vertebral column, and within the walls of the bronchial tube.