Reticular connective tissue Reticular connective tissue Reticular connective tissue is a type of connective tissue with a network of reticular fibers, made of type III collagen ("reticulum" = net or network). Reticular fibers are not unique to reticular connective tissue, but only in this type are they dominant. Reticular fibers are synthesized by special fibroblasts called reticular cells. The fibers are thin branching structures. Reticular connective tissue is found around the kidney, the spleen, and lymph nodes, Peyer's patches as well as in bone marrow. The fibers form a soft skeleton (stroma) to support the lymphoid organs (lymph node stromal cells, red bone
Adipose tissue in specific locations, which are referred to as adipose depots. Apart from adipocytes, which comprise the highest percentage of cells within adipose tissue, other cell types are present, collectively termed stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells. SVF includes preadipocytes, fibroblasts, adipose tissue macrophages, and endothelial cells. Adipose tissue contains many small blood vessels. In the integumentary system, which includes the skin, it accumulates in the deepest level, the subcutaneous layer, providing insulation from heat and cold. Around organs, it provides protective padding. However, its main function is to be a reserve of lipids, which can be oxidised to meet the