Reticular connective tissue

Reticular ligament is a type of ligament found in bone marrow and as a supporting substrate in secondary lymphatic organs and in smooth muscle. It consists of reticular cells and reticular fibers.

Reticular cells have long processes that touch each other to form a three-dimensional network. They arise from a common precursor cell as fibroblasts. They specialize in the formation of reticular fibers (collagen III). Free cells (precursors of blood cells, lymph cells) develop undisturbed in the "eyes" of the network.

Reticular fibers are mainly composed of collagen type III fibrils. We also find collagen I, IV, elastin, fibronectin, fibrillin microfibrils, proteoglycans, laminin, perlecan, all in varying amounts.

The supporting substrate consists of reticular fibers, which are covered by projections of reticular cells. This formation is effective in the spleen against causing blood clotting.

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