Histology - Dense irregular conective tissue

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Description:

This is a section of collagenous connective tissue from the reticular layer of the dermis. This layer is characterized by thick bundles of collagen that are organized in various directions within the tissue. This creates a tissue that has tensile strength in all directions. This strong tissue, which is where leather comes from, is found in a number of places throughout the body that require great tensile strength. It can be observed as the tissue of the dermis, the fascia and other connective tissue layers that surround and penetrate skeletal muscles, the periosteum around the bones, the fibrous capsules of joints, the pericardial sac around the heart, to mention a few.