Dense Connective Tissue

Dense connective tissue comes in 2 forms - irregular and regular, according to the arrangement of its fibers. The cells and fibers are basically the same as in areolar connective tissue, but much more densely compacted.

Irregular dense connective tissue is found in the capsules of many organs. It consists mainly of a dense, random meshwork of collagen fibers.

Regular dense connective tissue makes up tendons and ligaments. Its collagen fibers are arranged in parallel bundles giving it very high tensile strength.