THE COXXECTIVE-SUBSTANCE GROUP. 



47 



ddli^ 



addition, with connective-tissue bundles which lie externally 

 to the now flattened cells. The system of spaces is again 

 rilled with gelatinous substance. 



This is a tissue, therefore, which 

 early disappears. 



Under reticular connective tissue 

 (Fig. 47) we understand a cellular 

 tissue, in the meshes of which lie 

 innumerable lymphoid cells. His 

 has called this adenoid tissue. It 

 appears to be frequently a second- 

 ary formation, proceeding from 

 metamorphosed common connect- 

 ive tissue of the fcetal body. 



Reticular connective tissue pre- 

 sents, in addition, many changes, 

 according to age and locality. As 

 its element (Fig. 8), we meet with a 

 delicate, stellate cell with a nucleus 

 of 0.0059 t° 0.0075 mm - an d a 



moderate-sized protoplasma body. The latter sends out 

 numerous processes, which repeatedly divide and thereby 

 become constantly finer. By the conjunction of such adja- 

 cent branches, which have often arisen under a right angle, 

 smaller nodal points are frequently formed, in which a nucleus 

 is naturally wanting. 



The delicate, mostly polyhedral meshes are usually rounded, 

 but may also assume an elongated form. They are smaller 

 in the new-born than in the adult. In the latter, during the 

 period of health, the nucleus and cell body are usually 

 shrunken, so that they may be overlooked. In irritated con- 

 ditions, however, the former tense condition is rapidly re- 

 established in the swelling tissue. 



Such reticular connective tissue is met with in the lymph 

 glands, as well as in a series of allied parts of the body, which 

 we will combine as lymphoid organs, such as the tonsils, 

 thymus gland, and Peyer's follicles. The Malpighian cor- 



Fig. 47. — From a lymphoid follicle 

 of the vermiform appendix of the rab- 

 bit. Fig. 1. reticular tssue with the 

 meshes, b, and the rema'nder of the 

 lymph cells, a ; most of the latter h ve 

 been artificially removed. Fig. 2. 

 more superficial. 



