Dense connective tissue

Relatively large number of protein fibers that firm thick bundles and fill nearby all the extracellular
space.

These protein fibers are produced by fibroblasts.

Mostly collagen fibers

Fibroblasts(make or produce protein fibers) are in between collagen fibers.

2 major subcategories: collagenous and elastic

Dense collagenous connective tissue

Has an extracellular matrix consisting mostly of collagen fibers

Structures made up of dense collagenous

Tendons (attach muscle to the bone)

Ligaments (attach bone to bones)

Dermis (the connective tissue of the skin)

Also forms many capsules that surrounds organs (liver and kidneys)

In the tendons and ligaments, the collagen fibers are oriented in the same direction (tissue is called
dense regular)

In the dermis and organ capsules, the fibers are oriented in many different directions (dense irregular)

Tendons (bone +muscle) very strong

Ligament (connect bone +bone) more stretch

Connective tissue proper: Dense Connective Tissue

Dense regular collagenous connective tissue

Structure: matrix is composed of collagen fibers running in somewhat the same direction in tendons and
ligaments; collagen fibers run in several directions in the dermis of the skin and in organ capsules

Function: withstand great pulling forces exerting in the direction of fiber orientation due to great tensile
strength and stretch resistance

Location: Tendons and ligaments; also found in the dermis of the skin, organ capsules, and the outer
layer of many blood vessels

Dense Regular Elastic Connective

Structure: Matrix composed of collagen fibers and elastin fibers running in somewhat the same direction
in elastic ligaments; elastic fibers run in connective tissue of blood vessel walls

Function: Capable of stretching and recoiling like a rubber bond with strength

in the direction of fiber orientation

Location: Elastic ligaments between the vertebrae and along the dorsal aspect of the neck (nucha) and
in the vocal cords; also found in elastic connective tissue of the blood vessel walls

Dense elastic connective tissue has an abundant elastic fibers among its collagen fibers. The elastic
fibers allow the tissue to stretch and recoil. Examples include the dense elastic connective tissue in the
vocal cords, in elastic ligaments, and in the walls of large arteries. The elastic fibers are oriented in the
same direction in elastic ligaments and in the vocal cords(dense regular tissue) but they are oriented in
many different directions in the walls of arteries (dense irregular tissue; not pictured)