Which connective tissue has many fibers but few cells and includes tendons, ligaments, the submucosa, and reticular layers that offer support?

• A. Loose Connective Tissue
• B. Connective Tissue Proper
• C. Dense Connective Tissue
• D. Stratified Cuboidal

Answer: (C)

Dense connective tissue is defined by a dense array of collagen fibers with relatively few cells, giving it strong mechanical support. In tendons and ligaments, the fibers are packed tightly and often run parallel (dense regular connective tissue), enabling these structures to resist pulling forces in one direction. The submucosa and the dermal reticular layer likewise contain a dense network of fibers (dense irregular connective tissue), arranged in multiple directions to provide support against forces from various angles. The cells present are mainly fibroblasts, fewer in number compared with the abundant fibers. By contrast, loose connective tissue has more cells and a looser fiber network, and stratified cuboidal is epithelial tissue, not connective tissue.