Histology - Elastic connective tissue

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Description:

This section of elastic connective tissue is from the wall of the aorta. This thick, strong-walled artery has layer upon layer of elastic plates made of freely branching elastic fibers. Elastic fibers differ from collagen in the ease with which they stretch and recoil. When loaded, elastic fibers can stretch to one and a half times their original length. Elastic tissue is also found in the lung tissue, trachea, bronchial tubes, true vocal cords, suspensory ligament of the penis, and some of the ligaments of the vertebral column.