Dense irregular connective tissue

locations

1. Dermis (skin layer deep to epidermis) 2. Coverings of organ capsules or body tissues 3. Submucosa of digestive tract 4. Fibrous capsules of organs and joints

ECM

1.) Fibers are collagen fibers in different directions 2.) Ground substance is less semi-fluid than in loose connective tissue 3.) Cells are fibroblasts/ fibrocytes

Dense Irregular CT

Note: Dense irregular also has fibroblast nuclei

function of dense irregular connective tissue

Provides strength and resists stretching

dense irregular connective tissue

consists of many collagen fibers arranged in a mesh-work style pattern where they orientate in different directions/ planes. more "freestyle" looking than "dense regular" because fibers are different directions/planes

strength

has tensile strength capable of withstanding stretching in all directions

dense irregular tissue

irregularty arranged collaged fibers with few fibroblasts, withstands pulling in many directions

characteristics

strength in many directions, but less strength in one direction note from TopHat: random arrangement of collagen fibers, which dominate the tissue