Final answer:
The reticular layer is the skin layer mostly made up of dense connective tissue and binds the dermis to the upper layers. The papillary layer, comprised of loose connective tissue, connects to the stratum basale of the epidermis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of skin that is mostly connective tissue and binds the inner and upper layers is the reticular layer. This layer has denser connective tissues with fibers of collagen and is found beneath the papillary layer of the dermis. The layer of skin that is mostly connective tissue, binding the inner and upper layers of the skin, is the reticular layer. The reticular layer is the thicker inner layer of the dermis, made of dense connective tissue with collagen fibers. It provides strength, elasticity, and support to the skin.
Despite their close association, it is the reticular layer, not the papillary layer, that is mostly composed of dense connective tissue. The papillary layer, on the other hand, is made of loose connective tissue and extends into the epidermis through finger-like dermal papillae, providing a strong connection between the epidermis and the dermis. The papillary layer is closely associated with the stratum basale, which is the deepest epidermal layer.