dense elastic tissue

This tissue has a preponderance of elastic fibers. Examine the longitudinal and cross sections of ligamentum nuchae (ungulate) on slide #10 (even boxes). This is an elastic ligamentprepared with resorcin fuchsin which stains elastin purple. It is very difficult to distinguish the cells. Observe that the tissue consists of parallel bundles of thick elastic fibers held together by loose C.T. containing some blood vessels. Collagen fibers stain pink. The arrangement of elastic fiber bundles and loose collagenous connective tissue is more easily seen in the cross section. Note that these elastic fibers are much thicker than those of loose C.T. Most other ligaments do not have a preponderance of elastic fibers, and are similar to tendon in composition, although not as regularly arranged.