202 FIBROUS SYSTEM 



Q. Where do you meet with ligaments? 



#. Their office being to strengthen the joints, they 

 are met with about the bony or cartilaginous articulations. 



Q. What is the common centre of the fibrous organs? 



Jl. The periosteum. 



Q. Why is the periosteum thus considered? 



*#. Because, generally speaking, the fibrous organs are 

 attached to the periosteum. 



Q. What are the principal exceptions to this anatomical 

 arrangement? 



*#. The albuginea of the eye, the membranes of the 

 spleen and liver. 



Organization of the Fibrous System. 



Q. What is the organization of the fibrous system? 



Jl. It is a peculiar, hard, slightly elastic fibrous base, 

 destitute of sensibility, and nearly so of contractility. The 

 fibres are, in tendons, in juxta-position; they are so like- 

 wise in ligaments. In membranes, the fibres are crossed 

 in every direction. 



Q. Is the power of resistance in the fibrous system 

 great? 



./?. Sometimes it is even greater than that of the bones, 

 as the patella. Recollect the violence requisite to draw 

 criminals asunder by horses, in the punishments of the 

 ancients. 



Q. Why are tendons always ruptured, rather than the 

 muscular fleshy fibres? 



/?. Because the fleshy fibre is in such constant con- 

 traction and approximation, as to enable the strength of 

 the muscle to exceed that of the tendon. 





