reticularis

Reticularis is a Latin term meaning net-like. In anatomical naming, it is used as a descriptive suffix to denote a net- or meshwork organization within a structure. It does not refer to a single anatomical entity, but to a characteristic pattern observed in different tissues.

In the skin, the reticular layer of the dermis is the deeper portion of the dermis. It is composed largely of dense irregular connective tissue with coarse collagen fibers arranged in a network. This layer provides mechanical strength and houses blood vessels, nerves, and skin appendages such as glands and hair follicles. The term highlights the lace-like, interconnected arrangement of the tissue rather than a discrete unit.

In the adrenal gland, the zona reticularis is the innermost cortical zone. It forms a network of small cell cords and produces androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), contributing to pubertal development and adrenal androgen activity.

In connective tissue and lymphoid organs, reticular fibers form a specialized network that constitutes the supportive stroma. Reticular tissue is rich in type III collagen and is produced by reticular cells, providing a scaffold for the parenchyma of organs such as the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow.

Because reticularis appears in multiple anatomical terms, its use is context-dependent, referring to a net-like arrangement rather than a single, uniform structure.