226 FIBROUS TISSUE. 



diameter. They are generally collected in minute fasciculi, 

 from 5 ^ 00 to T0 ^g and these again into larger fasciculi ^ to ^ of 

 an inch wide, the filaments of which are held together, by a firm 

 structureless amorphous substance, which has received the name 

 of cytoblastema. Under the microscope, the elementary struct- 

 ure of the cellular, fibrous and fibro-cellular tissues, appear to be 

 the same. Their anatomical ^differences depending on the mode 

 in which their elementary fibres are put together. In fibrous 

 tissue the undulating primitive filaments are arranged side by side 

 into fasciculi, which differ from those of cellular tissue in being 

 much larger, more dense and more opaque and in being straight 

 instead of flexuous. Their whiteness and strength, depend 

 upon the compact parallel disposition of the compound fila- 

 ments ; and their slight amount of elasticity is owing to the 

 absence* of sinuosity in the arrangement of the compound 

 fasciculi. According to the manner in which these fasciculi or 

 fibres are arranged and combined, we have either the mem- 

 branous or fascicular form of fibrous tissue as has been above 

 explained. Cellular membrane in a more or less condensed 

 state, is found in general intermixed to a greater or less extent, 

 with the fibrous fasciculi. 



The Ligaments of the Joints, 



Are all divided into the capsular or bag-like, and into funicu- 

 lar, or cords. 



The capsular, or fibrous bags, of greater or less thickness, 

 open at both ends, into which the heads of the bones forming 

 the respective joints are thrust, and round the necks of which 

 it is closely inserted, where they are continuous with the peri- 

 osteum of the bones. In very many of the joints the capsules 

 are imperfect in some part of their periphery, and in others 

 are represented only by a few scattered fibres. The hip and 

 shoulder joint furnish the best specimen of a perfect capsule. 

 The funicular ligaments are cords, flat, round, or oval, 

 intended to give a side support to the joints, and constitute 

 the lateral ligaments. These are placed, some within, some- 



