Connective Tissue Proper: Dense

Dense connective tissue

Connective tissue proper in which the fibers within the tissue are abundant and are tightly pack together. Types are regular, irregular and elastic tissues.

Elastic connective tissue

Dense connective tissue proper that contains a high proportion of elastic fibers

Dense irregular connective tissue

Dense connective tissue proper that contains bundles of collagen fibers that are irregularly arranged in different planes and fibroblasts. Also contains some elastic fibers

Dense regular connective tissue

Dense connective tissue proper that contains collagen fibers arranged parallel to each other, fibroblasts, and some elastic fibers. Is poorly vascularized causing it to heal slowly.

Fascia

Formed by dense regular connective tissue and is a fibrous membrane that wraps around muscles, muscle groups, large vessels, and nerves.

Attaches muscle to bone

Function of dense regular connective tissue: 1 Tendons

Attaches bone to bone

Function of dense regular connective tissue: 2 Ligaments

Withstands great stress in one direction

Function of dense regular connective tissue: 3

Allows recoil of tissue following stretching

Function of elastic connective tissue: 1

Maintains pulsate flow of blood

Function of elastic connective tissue: 2 through the arteries

Aids passive recoil of lungs

Function of elastic connective tissue: 3 following inspiration

Withstands tension and provides structural strength

Function of irregular connective tissue Because fibers are bundled in different planes

Reticular layer of dermis, submucosa of the digestive tract, and fibrous capsules of joints and organs

Location of dense irregular connective tissue

Tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses

Location of dense regular connective tissue.

Within walls of arteries and bronchial tubes and in certain ligaments

Location of elastic connective tissue