Stereoscopic visualization of various morphological types of collagenous fibres

The connective tissue fibres of various parts of different fascial and aponeurotic planes of the ventral abdominal walls of 26 albino rats were examined with the scanning electron microscopy. Five types of collagen fibres could be identified and visualized stereoscopically: (1) the fine network seen around the muscle fibres; (2) the loose collagenous bundles and their investing reticular network in the deep fasciae; (3) the wavy parallel bundles in the free part of the aponeuroses; (4) the dense mature collagenous bundles and matted collagenous masses in the attached part of the aponeursoes, and (5) the immature fine irregular fibrils seen during healing of wounds. The relationship between these various types and the process of fibrillogenesis of collagenous bundles is discussed. The functional significance of each type is also pointed out.