Dense regular connective tissue (DRCT) provides connection between different tissues in the human body. The collagen fibers in dense regular connective tissue are bundled in a parallel fashion. DRCT is divided into white fibrous connective tissue and yellow fibrous connective tissue, both of which occur in two forms: cord arrangement and sheath arrangement.^[1]

In cord arrangement, bundles of collagen and matrix are distributed in regular alternate patterns. In sheath arrangement, collagen bundles and matrix are distributed in irregular patterns, sometimes in the form of a network. It is similar to areolar tissue, but in DRCT elastic fibers are completely absent.^[2]

Structures formed

• An example of their use is in tendons,^[3] which connect muscle to bone and derive their strength from the regular, longitudinal arrangement of bundles of collagen fibers.
• Ligaments bind bone to bone and are similar in structure to tendons.^[4]
• Aponeuroses are layers of flat, broad tendons that join muscles and the body parts the muscles act upon, whether it be bone or muscle.^[5]

Functions

Dense regular connective tissue has great tensile strength that resists pulling forces especially well in one direction.

DRCT has a very poor blood supply, which is why damaged tendons and ligaments are slow to heal.