reticulum
noun
a network; any reticulated system or structure.
reticulum
American
[ri-tik-yuh-luhm]
/ rɪˈtɪk jə ləm /
noun
-
reticula,
plural
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Reticuli
genitive
-
a network; any reticulated system or structure.
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Anatomy.
-
a network of intercellular fibers in certain tissues.
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a network of structures in the endoplasm or nucleus of certain cells.
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Zoology. the second stomach of ruminating animals, between the rumen and the omasum.
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(initial capital letter) the Net, a southern constellation between Dorado and Hydrus.
Reticulum
1
British
/ rɪˈtɪkjʊləm /
noun
reticulum
2
British
/ rɪˈtɪkjʊləm /
noun
-
any fine network, esp one in the body composed of cells, fibres, etc
-
the second compartment of the stomach of ruminants, situated between the rumen and psalterium
reticulum
Scientific
/ rĭ-tĭk′yə-ləm /
-
reticula
plural
-
The second division of the stomach in ruminant animals, which together with the rumen contains microorganisms that digest fiber. The reticulum's contents are regurgitated for further chewing as part of the cud.
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See more at ruminant
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of reticulum
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin rēticulum “little net”; see reticle
Explanation
A reticulum is a natural structure that resembles a net or web, like the veins in a leaf or the network of fibers in a cell. You can use reticulum for anything in nature with a structure that looks like a net. In fact, the Latin meaning of the word is "a little net." Reticulum has been adopted for many scientific uses, including the name of a net-like constellation. A cow or other ruminant's second (of four) stomachs is also called a reticulum, from the honeycomb shape of its lining.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
One, called LCA, damaged T cell function by causing endoplasmic reticulum stress, while another, UDCA, boosted T cell performance and drew more immune cells to the liver.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2025
It's a core function, but little studied in the setting of cancer immunology, especially when compared to other organelles like the mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2024
ZIP7 is also the only zinc transporter found in the endoplasmic reticulum, a membranous structure where a cell makes proteins destined for the outer membrane of the cell or for secretion out of the cell.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024
The team explains that the high local temperature activates the other active agent, BNN-6, to release nitric oxide molecules that open the channel in the endoplasmic reticulum.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 29, 2024
Hyaloplasm: the clear, semi-fluid material between the meshes of the cell reticulum.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by John. B. Smith
Dorado, the Sword Fish, lies east of Reticulum and west of Pictor.
From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by J. Ellard Gore
They also lack endoplasmic reticula and do not synthesize proteins.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
About 3° east of α Reticuli is the variable star R Doradus.
From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by J. Ellard Gore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
