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T/F: Collagen fibers are oriented nearly parallel in ligaments to allow range of motion with muscle contraction

User Lebert
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Final answer:

The statement is false because, unlike tendons, not all fibers in ligaments are parallel, allowing ligaments to stretch and return to their original length due to the mix of collagen and elastin fibers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that collagen fibers are oriented nearly parallel in ligaments to allow range of motion with muscle contraction is false. While it is true that dense regular connective tissue fibers, such as those in tendons, are parallel to each other to enhance tensile strength and resistance to stretching in the direction of fiber orientations, ligaments are slightly different.

Ligaments are also made of dense regular connective tissue but do not have all fibers running parallel; instead, they contain a mix of collagen and elastin fibers. This structure allows ligaments to be stretched and to return to their original length after stretching, aiding in the flexibility and stability of joints, not necessarily in the range of motion with muscle contraction.

User Gerardo Bautista
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