Dense regular connective tissue (DRCT) provides connection between different tissues in the human body. The
collagen fibers in dense regular connective tissue are bundled in a parallel fashion. DRCT is divided into white fibrous connective tissue and yellow fibrous connective tissue, both of which occur in two forms: cord arrangement and sheath arrangement.
In cord arrangement, bundles of collagen and matrix are distributed in regular alternate patterns. In sheath arrangement, collagen bundles and matrix are distributed in irregular patterns, sometimes in the form of a network. It is similar to
areolar tissue, but in DRCT
elastic fibers
Elastic fibers (or yellow fibers) are an essential component of the extracellular matrix composed of bundles of proteins ( elastin) which are produced by a number of different cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial, smooth muscle, and ai ...
are completely absent.
Structures formed
* An example of their use is in
tendon
A tendon or sinew is a tough, high-tensile-strength band of dense fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is able to transmit the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system without sacrificing its ability ...
s, which connect muscle to bone and derive their strength from the regular, longitudinal arrangement of bundles of collagen fibers.
*
Ligaments
A ligament is the fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. It is also known as ''articular ligament'', ''articular larua'', ''fibrous ligament'', or ''true ligament''. Other ligaments in the body include the:
* Peritoneal ...
bind bone to bone and are similar in structure to tendons.
*
Aponeuroses are layers of flat, broad tendons that join muscles and the body parts the muscles act upon, whether it be bone or muscle.
Functions
Dense regular connective tissue has great tensile strength that resists pulling forces especially well in one direction.
DRCT has a very poor blood supply, which is why damaged tendons and ligaments are slow to heal.
References
Tissues (biology)
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