Dense regular connective tissue

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.[1]

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 are completely absent.[2]

Structures formed
  • An example of their use is in tendons,[3] which connect muscle to bone and derive their strength from the regular, longitudinal arrangement of bundles of collagen fibers.
  • Ligaments bind bone to bone and are similar in structure to tendons.[4]
  • Aponeuroses are layers of flat, broad tendons that join muscles and the body parts the muscles act upon, whether it be bone or muscle.[5]

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
  1. Stecco, Carla. "Dense Connective Tissue - an overview". Science Direct. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  2. Nassari, Sonya; Duprez, Delphine; Fournier-Thibault, Claire (23 March 2007). "Non-myogenic Contribution to Muscle Development and Homeostasis: The Role of Connective Tissues". Front Cell Dev Biol. 5 (22): 22. doi:10.3389/fcell.2017.00022. PMC 5362625. PMID 28386539.
  3. "Dense regular connective tissue". www.pc.ctc.edu. Archived from the original on 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  4. "What Are Ligaments?". WebMD. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  5. "Aponeurosis". IMAIOS. Retrieved 2020-09-30.


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