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How does dense irregular connective tissue differ from dense regular connective tissue?
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connective tissue
Randomly oriented collagenous fibers of varying size in a thin spread of loose areolar connective tissue (magnified about 370 Γ).
Dense irregular and dense regular connective tissues are both types of dense fibrous connective tissue composed primarily of closely packed collagen bundles and fibroblasts, with relatively few elastic fibers or ground substance. They differ fundamentally in the orientation of their collagen fibers:1
- Dense irregular connective tissue: The collagen bundles are randomly oriented and interwoven. This structure is found in areas such as the dermis of the skin and the capsules of joints.1
- Dense regular connective tissue: The collagen fibers are precisely oriented in parallel bundles. This arrangement provides great tensile strength and is characteristic of tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.12