CBKTAIlSr TISSUES. 



Prior to considering the subject of the next chapter, it may 

 be well to give a short account of certain tissues specially con- 

 cerned. 



Connective Tissue.— This is the most widely distributed 

 tissue in the body, since it binds together all other forms of 

 tissue, and, in some of its many varieties, enters into the forma- 

 tion of every organ. As connective tissue proper, its function 

 is subordinate ; but when it becomes the aponeuroses of mus- 



PiG. 439.— Fibers of tendon of man (RoUett). 



cles, and especially tendons, by which, from its inextensibUity, 

 the muscles are rendered effective in moving the levers (bones) 

 to which they are attached, its importance is more pronounced. 

 In structure, this fibrous tissue consists of bundles of fine fibrils, 

 among which, especially in the younger stage, connective-tissue 

 cells may be found, and from which the fibers themselves are 

 formed. ^ 



