Veterinary Anatomy: Connective Tissue Structures

1.0 Histologic types of connective tissue (c.t.):
1) Loose areolar c.t. — low fiber density, contains spaces that can be filled with fat or fluid (edema)
[found: throughout body, under skin as superficial fascia and in many places as deep fascia]
2) Dense irregularly arranged c.t. — high density of collagen fibers, oriented in variable directions
[found: dermis; deep fascia in some locations; periosteum; fibrous joint capsule]
3) Dense regularly arranged c.t. — high density of parallel fibers, forming sheets, bands, or cords
[found: aponeuroses; ligaments; tendons]

 1.2 Connective tissue structures identifiable in gross anatomy:
1) Dermis  — the physically tough/strong component of skin (deep to epidermis)
2) Tendon — attaches muscle to bone (called aponeurosis when sheet-like)
3) Ligament — attaches bone to bone (usually thickenings of fibrous joint capsules)
4) Fascia  — collagenous fibrous tissue that hold the body together

      I.  superficial fascia = subcutaneous tissue between skin & muscles/bone (body wall)

                       - regionally variable in amount (site for subcutaneous injection)

                       - contains: cutaneous muscle, mammary tissue, fat (also edema fluid)

                          [e.g., cutaneous trunci m.; superficial muscles of facial expression]

      II.  deep fascia = packing/binding tissue surrounding muscles, bones, & organs

                       - compartmentalize skeletal muscles & gives rise to aponeuroses