CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER DENSE regular:
• The fibroblasts are embedded in the matrix: they do not lie in lacunae (chambers within the matrix).
• The fibers are densely packed and thus the ground substance is barely visible. The fibers are primary collagenous fibers and are arranged parallel to each other (a few elastic fibers are also present in the matrix). This results in a white flexible tissue with great resistance to forces pulling in one direction. The collagen fibers are slightly wavy: this allows the tissue to stretch a little until the fibers are straightened out but not more.
• It is found in areas where tension is always exerted in a single direction, such as: tendons (cords attaching muscles to bones), aponeuroses (flat sheets attaching muscles to bones or to other muscles) and ligaments (attaching bones together at joints). Ligaments contain more elastic fibers than do tendons and thus are slightly more stretchy.