reticulum
noun
a network; any reticulated system or structure.
reticulum
American
[ri-tik-yuh-luhm]
/ rɪˈtɪk jə ləm /
noun
reticula,
plural
Reticuli
genitive
-
a network; any reticulated system or structure.
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Anatomy.
-
a network of intercellular fibers in certain tissues.
-
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.
-
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
"However, our research highlights a novel function of the HLA molecule within skin cells. We revealed that a specific HLA genotype in keratinocytes can recognize certain drugs as foreign, triggering an endoplasmic reticulum stress response."
From Science Daily ● May 15, 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
Their examination revealed that the CARS-deficient yeast mutant suffered from abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as an increased stress response throughout the endoplasmic reticulum.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 16, 2024
Sporangia variously contracted and grown together, forming a dense reticulum; the walls a thin pellucid membrane, with a thick white outer layer of granules of lime.
From The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio by Morgan, A. P. (Andrew Price)
Dorado, the Sword Fish, lies east of Reticulum and west of Pictor.
From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by Gore, J. Ellard
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 Gore, J. Ellard
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.
