72 



LOCOMOTION. 



[CHAP. in. 



Fig 5. 



Reparation and Reproduction. When a solution of continuity 

 takes place in white fibrous tissue, it readily heals by the interposi- 

 tion of a new substance, every way similar to the original tissue,, 

 excepting that it wants its peculiar glistening aspect, and is more 

 bulky and transparent.* 



2. Yellow Fibrous Tissue. In colour, and in the possession of 

 elasticity to a remarkable extent, this tissue differs manifestly from 

 that last described. 



It is yellow : disposed in bundles of fibres, and 

 covered by a thin sheath of areolar tissue, which 

 likewise sinks in among its fibres. In man it 

 exists in the fascicular, funicular, and membranous 

 forms. 



Under the microscope we observe it to consist 

 of fibres, round in some, flattened in other spe- 

 cimens. These fibres are very variable in diameter, 

 usually from 3-oVo * Toooo f an ^ ncn ^ n diameter. 

 They bifurcate, or even divide into three ; and the 

 sum of the diameters of the branches considerably 

 exceeds the diameter of the trunk. They anasto- 

 mose freely with each other. They are prone to 

 break under manipulation, and the broken ex- 

 tremities are abrupt and disposed to curl up : 

 when maiiv of these broken ends exist together in 



Yellow fibrous tissue. 



shewing the curiy and the same piece, they give it a very peculiar and 



branched disposition of J * J J 



its nbriiise, their definite characteristic appearance. 



outline, and abrupt mode L " 



of fracture. At , the I n the human subject, we find this tissue em- 



structure is not disturb- 

 ed, as in the rest of the 

 specimen. Magnified 

 320 diameters. 



ployed in the spine, as the ligament a subflava, 

 extended between the laminae of the vertebrse ; in 

 the larynx, forming the thyro-hyoid and crico-thyroid membranes, 

 and the chordae vocales ; and in the trachea, forming the longitudi- 

 nal or elastic bands of that tube, and of its branches. The internal 

 lateral ligament of the lower jaw, the stylo-hyoid ligament, and the 

 transversalis fascia of the abdomen, are also, in a great measure, 

 composed of it. Among the lower animals it is very extensively 

 used for mechanical purposes, of which there is a familiar instance 

 in the ligamentum nucha of quadrupeds. Its great elasticity fits it 

 for restoring parts after they have been moved by muscular action. 

 Hence it is generally employed to supply an antagonist force to the 

 muscular. 



A peculiar modification of the yellow fibrous tissue composes 

 * We have ascertained this in the case of a divided tendo Achillis. 



