YELLOW ELASTIC TISSUE. 



123 



appears in two forms the sheeted or aponeurotic, which is found 

 in investing ligaments, membranes, periosteum, &c.; and the cordi- 

 /'"////. in which the fibres are col- 

 lected in strong bundles ; this is the 

 chief constituent of the binding 

 ligaments, which hold articulating 

 bones together and limit their mo- 

 tion. The tendons of muscles are 

 also made up mostly of this kind 

 of tissue, but both in them and in 

 ligaments yellow elastic fibres are 

 also found. 



Connective tissue contains nerves 

 and blood-vessels, for the supply of 

 neighbouring structures as well as 

 for its own nourishment, and also tendon cells, the latter lying 

 in the spaces between the smaller bundles. When healthy this 

 tissue is little sensitive to pain. 



Fre. 42. 



White fibrous tissue from a ligament. 

 65 diatnrs. 



YELLOW ELASTIC TISSUE. 



This differs from the white tissue in being yellow, elastic, and 

 not so tough or strong. Its fibres are sometimes as large in dia- 

 meter as ^oVo m< ' but when mixed with white tissue in tendons 

 the diameter may not be more 

 than one-sixth of this. The 

 fibres branch and join each 

 other, and their ends curl up 

 when cut or broken. Acetic 

 acid has no effect on the yellow 

 tissue, while it causes fibres of 

 the white to swell greatly and 

 become quite transparent ; 

 again, when white tissue is 

 boiled, gelatine is obtained, 

 which is not the result of boil- 

 ing the yellow fibres 



Yellow elastic tissue is found nearly pure in the ligamentum 

 nuchue, the tunica abdominis, the coats of the largest arteries, and 

 elsewhere. The lungs contain a large quantity of this tissue. 



FIG. 43. 



Yellow elastic tisane, magnified, from the liga- 

 mentum nnchse of a calf. 65 diamrs. 



