Animal tissues
Connective proper
DENSE IRREGULAR
Organ: tegument, dermis of the skin, dense irregular connective tissue.
Species: mouse (Mus musculus; mammal).
Technique: 8 µm thick paraffin section stained with Masson's trichrome.
Species: mouse (Mus musculus; mammal).
Technique: 8 µm thick paraffin section stained with Masson's trichrome.
Image from the skin.
Cursor over the mouse to see where the image comes from.
The dense irregular connective tissue is mainly composed of intertwined collagen fibers, which occupy most of the tissular volume. The thickness and the density of collagen fibers leave little room for fibroblasts. Scattered elastic fibers are also present. Dense irregular connective tissue can be observed in the dermis, in the capsules of organs such as the spleen, liver, and those surrounding lymphatic ganglia. It is also present in other locations such as the cerebral dura mater, sheaths surrounding the larger nerves and in the tunica albuginea of testis.
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