20 



ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



Structures loosely together. Subcutaneous connective tissue is a 

 white material, the peculiar appearance and properties of which 

 are due to the fact that the white and yellow fibrous elements are 

 arranged in a loose felt-like network (Fig. 7) and reticular fibres 

 are not important components. When stretched, it is found to 

 yield up to a certain point, beyond which it is tough and resistant. 

 It tends to regain its original shape when the tension is removed. 



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Fig. 7. Photomicrograph of stained preparation of areolar connective 

 tissue — subcutaneous tissue of rabbit. X 150. 



Fibrous connective tissue may be greatly modified through the 

 concentration of any one of the fibrous elements. Concentration 

 of white fibres is, however, the common modification. This con- 

 dition is illustrated in the thick connective tissue layer forming the 

 true skin or corium, but is more conspicuous in the glistening 

 white tendons (Figs. 8, 37) by which muscles are attached to 

 bone surfaces, in the ligaments uniting bones with one another, and 

 in the thin, broad aponeuroses which serve for muscular attach- 

 ment. The cells are few and are squeezed between the closely pack- 

 ed w^hite fibres. The structures known anatomically as fasciae are 

 special sheets of connective tissue covering chiefly individual mus- 

 cles or muscle groups. Concentration of yellow fibres occurs in 



