rete

Rete is a Latin term meaning net. In anatomy and zoology, the term describes a net-like network of vessels or ducts in various organs.

A well-known example is the rete mirabile, a complex network of arteries and veins arranged to enable countercurrent exchange and regulate tissue temperature or blood pressure in certain tissues. Rete structures are also found in reproductive anatomy: the rete testis, a network of channels within the testis that collects sperm from the seminiferous tubules and conveys it to the efferent ductules; and the rete ovarii, a small peritoneal network associated with the ovary.

In computer science, Rete refers to the Rete algorithm, a pattern-matching method for rule-based expert systems. Developed by Charles Forgy in 1982, it constructs a network (the Rete network) that represents the conditions and actions of production rules. The algorithm optimizes matching by reusing partial results and by avoiding full reevaluation of rules after each fact assertion or retraction, enabling efficient inference in large rule bases. Variants and implementations appear in many rule engines and AI systems.