Reticular Connective Tissue-Spleen

Reticular connective tissue and embryonic support tissue (mesenchyme) are similar. They both form spongy tissues, which consist of inter-connected, branched reticulum cells in a wide-meshed network . This network is inter woven with argyrophilic (reticular) fibers that closely adhere to the surfaces of the reticulum cells. The large intercellular spaces contain free cells and liquid. The figure shows a spleen perfuse d with Ringer solution.  Free cells are no longer present. The nuclei appear deep blue, and the reticular fibers are stained light blue.  The reticular connective tissue is a special form of connective tissue, with few fibers. It provides the support structure for the spleen, the lymph nodes,  the lymph follicles and the bone marrow.

Stain: methylene blue-eosin; magnification: × 200

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgart · New York .