group of tissues of very variable character. It is usually described as
consisting typically in the mammals of three chief elements felted
together; of comparatively unmodified corpuscles (c.c.), more or less
amoeboid, and of fibres which are elongated, altered, and distorted
cells. The fibres are of two kinds: yellow, branching, and highly elastic
(y.e.f.), in consequence of which they fall into sinuous lines
in a preparation, and white and inelastic ones (w.i.f.), lying in parallel
bundles. Where the latter element is entirely dominant, the connective
tissue is tendon, found especially at the point of attachment of
muscles to the parts they work. Some elastic ligaments are almost
purely yellow fibrous tissue. A loose interweaving of the three
elements is areolar tissue, the chief fabric of mesentery, membrane,
and the dermis (beneath the epidermis). With muscle it is the material
of the walls of the alimentary canal and bloodvessels, and generally it
enters into, binds together, and holds in place other tissue. The
connective tissue of fishes displays the differentiation of fibres in a far
less distinct manner.