SEM image, 30,000X (photos courtesy of N. P. Omelianenko). In the intercellular substance of dense regular connective tissue, collagen fibers #1, #2 are oriented in one direction. They are joined together in bundles by some thinner binding fibers and fibrils.

SEM image, 10,000X (photo courtesy of N. P. Omelianenko). In dense irregular connective tissue, the intercellular substance is marked by chaotic localization of thick collagen fibers #1, #2, which are formed by aggregates of fibrils. The fibers are connected by a meshwork of fine collagen fibrils.

Both types of dense connective tissue comprise an amorphous substance #1, #2 (it fits the spaces between the fibers), though it is definitely not so abundant as in loose connective tissue.