CHAP. III.] 



FIBROUS TISSUE, 



69 



only serves the purpose of a nidus for conducting vessels to its 

 surface, but it accompanies them sparingly into its substance. 



When the areolar tissue has been dissected off, the surface of 

 the fibrous tissue exhibits a beautiful silvery-white aspect, and 

 seems composed of bundles of fibres, which in some are arranged 

 parallel to each other ; in others are disposed on different planes, 

 and interlace, or cross in different directions. On placing a very 

 thin piece of the fibrous tissue under a high power of the micro- 

 scope, we observe what may be considered the characteristic feature 

 of this texture. 



The piece under examination seems to be composed of a leash 

 of exceedingly delicate fibrilla?, running parallel to one another, and, 

 if not stretched, disposed to take a wavy course, Fig. 4. 



like a skein of silk. But, on more accurate 

 inspection, it is found impossible to distinguish 

 threads of a determinate size; they seem, indeed, 

 to be of various sizes, according to the degree 

 of splitting to which the whole has been sub- 

 mitted, and many are to be seen so very minute, 

 as at first almost to elude the eye. In other 

 parts the mass splits up into membranous rather 

 than filiform fragments ; so that it would ap- 

 pear incorrect to describe this tissue as a bundle 

 of threads. It is rather a mass, with longitu- 

 dinal parallel streaks, (many of which are creas- 

 ings,) and which has a tendency to slit up al- 

 most ad infinitum in the longitudinal direction. 

 The correctness of this view is further shewn white fibrous tissue -.a. 



Straight appearance of the 



by the action of acid, which obliterates, for the tissue when stretched, b.c. 



>'. Various wavy appearances 



most part, all appearance of fibrillaB. and swells which the tissue exhibits 



. when not stretched. Mag- 



it lip as an entire maSS. nlAed 320 diameters. 



Physical and vital Properties. White fibrous tissue is inelastic, 

 and, under ordinary circumstances, inextensible ; though it cbex 

 admit of being somewhat stretched by the influence of long-con- 

 tinued and slowly acting force, as is seen occasionally when an 

 effusion of fluid has taken place into an articular cavity, or when a 

 tumour has slowly grown under a fascia. Its force of cohesion is 

 the most valuable and characteristic quality of the white fibrous 

 tissue, and to this its various important uses are chiefly due. Masr 

 cagni calculates the force requisite to rupture the tendo Achillis ns 

 equal to 1,000 pounds' weight. Instances are constantly seen where 

 muscles are torn, or bones fractured, while the tendons or ligaments, 



