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Reticular Connective Tissue

The prefix “rete” means “net”, which is what reticular connective tissue accomplishes. It forms an interwoven net of reticular fibers that provide support for organs where fluid or blood passes. The “net” holds the functional cells in place so that as the fluid passes through the organ, the cells are not displaced but are held in their places.

The Lymph nodes are an excellent place to find reticular connective tissue where lymph “percolates” or passes through these small organs. Within the lymph notes, the white blood cells that are monitoring these fluids could be easily displaced by the fluid movement, but the reticular fibers holds these functional cells in place. Another location is the spleen, where the blood is filtered. Likewise, the liver processes blood, makes bile; and therefore requires the structural support of the reticular fibers to hold the cells in place due to significant fluid/blood movements.