Chap. IV] CONNECTIVE TISSUES 37 



(1) Ligaments. — Ligaments are strong flexible bands, or cap- 

 sules, of fibrous tissue that help to hold the bones together at the 

 joints. 



(2) Tendons or sinews. — Tendons are white glistening cords or 

 bands which serve to attach the muscles to the bones. They are 

 usually composed of white fibres, but may contain some yellow 

 fibres. 



(3) Aponeuroses. — Aponeuroses are flat, wide bands of fibrous 

 tissue which serve to connect one muscle with another. 



(4) Protecting sheaths or membranes. — Fibrous tissue is found 

 investing and protecting different organs of the body. Examples 

 — heart and kidneys. 



(5) Fascioe. — The word fascia means a band or bandage. It is 

 most frequently applied to sheets of fibrous membrane which are 

 wrapped around muscles, and serve to hold them in place. Fas- 

 ciae are divided into two groups, which are associated with the skin 

 and the muscles. They are called : — 



a. Superficial. 



h. Deep. 



a. Superficial fascia. - — The subcutaneous areolar tissue, which 

 forms a nearly continuous covering beneath the skin, is classed as 

 superficial fascia. It varies in thickness, and usually permits free 

 movement of the skin on the subjacent parts. 



The fascia covering the palms of the hands is named palmar 

 fascia, and the fascia covering the soles of the feet is named plantar 

 fascia. The palmar and plantar fascia are much thicker, stronger, 

 and more closely attached than the superficial fascia in other parts 

 of the body. 



6. Beep fascice. — The deep fasciae are sheets of white, flexible 

 fibrous tissue, employed to envelop and bind down the muscles, 

 also to separate them into groups. The term fascia, unless limited 

 by an adjective, is usually employed to designate the deep fascial. 

 Subcutaneous areolar tissue is rarely called by the name fascia, 

 though it is correctly classed as such. 



Elastic tissue, being extensile and elastic, has a most important 

 use in assisting muscular tissue, and so lessening the wear and tear 

 of muscle. It is found : — 



(1) Between the transverse processes of the vertebra in elastic 

 bands. (Ligamenta flava.) 



