Dense Irregular Connective Tissue – Tutorial

Please read Unit 2 – Introduction to Connective Tissues prior to completing the activities in this chapter.

Introduction to Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Dense irregular connective tissue is a type of connective tissue proper with a matrix containing densely packed interwoven collagen fibers that fill most of the extracellular space and a thick jellylike ground substance comprising the remainder of the matrix.  Widely spaced fibroblasts are the primary cell type found in dense irregular connective tissue.  Fibroblasts secrete substances that thicken the ground substance and proteins that assemble to form collagen fibers.

Since the extracellular matrix is packed with strong yet flexible collagen fibers in an irregular arrangement (woven in many different directions) it allows dense irregular connective tissue to add strength and stability to tissues subjected to forces form many different directions.  Dense irregular connective tissue forms the majority of the dermis of skin where it serves to anchor the epidermis while still allowing slight movement over underlying tissues.  Dense irregular connective tissue is also found in periostea and perichondria (the connective tissue sheaths surrounding bones and cartilage), the fibrous joint capsules of synovial (movable) joints, and the connective tissue capsule surrounding visceral organs such as the kidneys, spleen, liver, and adrenal glands.

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to learn more about the characteristics of dense irregular connective tissue. 

Microscopy:  Use the image slider below to learn how to use a microscope to identify and study dense irregular connective  tissue on a microscope slide of skin.

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the characteristics of dense irregular connective tissue. 

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to study numerous examples of dense irregular connective tissue.