Page 187 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

Loose Connective Tissue

More prevalent in body and exhibits a loose, irregular arrangement of cells

and fibers
Contains abundant ground substance that surrounds cells and fibers
Collagen fibers, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, adipose cells, mast cells, plasma
cells, and macrophages predominate

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Consists primarily of fibroblasts and thick, densely packed collagen fibers

(type I)
Fewer other cell types and minimal ground substance
Collagen fibers exhibit random orientation and provide strong tissue support
Concentrated in areas where resistance to forces from different directions is
needed

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Fibers densely packed with regular, parallel orientation
Present in tendons and ligaments that are attached to bones

Great resistance to forces pulling along single axis or direction
Minimal ground substance; predominant cell type is fibroblast

CELLS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Fibroblasts

Are active permanent cells that synthesize collagen, reticular, and elastic
connective tissue fibers
Synthesize glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and adhesive glycoproteins
of ground substance

186