a-short-review-of-histology

Dense Connective Tissue:

Dense connective tissue is characterised by thick bundles of connective tissue fibres, particularly collagen
This type of connective tissue is supported by fibrocytes, a less active type of fibroblast
It is less vascular than loose connective tissue
Overall, dense connective tissue contains a greater volume of collagen fibres than cells (loose connective tissue contains a greater volume of cells than collagen fibres)
In order to maximise the great tensile strength of collagen, the fibres are orientated along the line of tension
Dense connective tissue is found in two forms -regular and irregular - which are defined by the orientation of the bundles of collagen fibres
In dense regular connective tissue, the collagen fibres are orientated in one direction with that direction being determined by the lines of tension that may be applied
Dense regular connective tissue is found in tendons and ligaments
In dense irregular connective tissue, the collagen bundles are orientated in different directions
This type of connective tissue is found in areas of the body where tension may arise from different directions
This type of dense connective tissue is found in the dermis of the skin