What Is the Definition of Collagen Fibers?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body.

Collagen fibers are bundles of individual collagen fibrils. Fibrils are long filaments of collagen. Collagen is a protein in the body that provides strength, support, and a small amount of elasticity. It is the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen is found in tendons, ligaments, skin, nerves, bones, muscle, blood vessels and organs.

Properties of Collagen

Collagen is a special type of tissue. Its characteristics make it incredibly flexible. It can bend without tearing due to its high tensile strength. The strength of collagen makes it the perfect substance to hold bones together and attach muscles to bones.

Fiber Arrangement

Collagen fibers are found all over the body, and they provide different functions based on the arrangement of the fibers. Fibers arranged in a crisscrossing pattern form a meshwork that provides support against movement of internal structures. Also, fibers are arranged in bundles of parallel fibers to form thick bands. Collagen provides lateral elasticity while allowing little straight ahead movement due to its high tensile strength.

Major Collagen Locations

While collagen is found all over the body, there are a few places that it is found in abundance. In bones, osteocytes--bone cells--live in between collagen fibers and secrete a calcium-based substance. This substance causes the collagen to harden into bones. Collagen fibers are the primary material in tendons (bundles of fibers that attach muscles to bone) and ligaments (bundles of fibers connecting bone to bone). Connective tissue is made primarily of collagen fibers.

References

• NCBI Bookshelf-Molecular Cell Biology: 22.3 Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix
• Science Encyclopedia: Collagen--Locations and Functions of Collagen