Ligaments are short bands of tough, flexible tissue that connect the bones of the body together, being a dense type of connective tissue. They are made up of lots of individual fibers, which are composed of a greater proportion of collagen fibers than elastin fibers and both have their fibers packed in densely. Collagen fibers are very strong, flexible, and resistant to damage from pulling or compressing stresses. They are usually arranged in parallel bundles, which help multiply the strength of the individual fibers. The solid components of ligaments are principally type 1 collagen, which accounts for approximately 75% of the dry weight of the ligament. Ligaments are viscoelastic, meaning they gradually strain when under tension and return to their original shape when the tension is removed. They are like cords made of connective tissue, elastic fibers that are somewhat stretchy, and collagen, a protein that binds tissues in animals.