RES

reticuloendothelial system; synonym: reticulohistiocytic system (RHS); today: mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS); functional unit consisting of cells capable of phagocytosis and storage of substances/particles. Consists of →Retikulumzellen of reticular connective tissue, blood and lymph vessel endothelial cells (reticuloendothelium) and cells lining the blood and lymph sinuses endothelially (reticuloendothelium), of fibrocytes (ordinary connective tissue cells) and of independent →Histiozyten (as macrophages arise from monocytes); essentially serves to eliminate waste and foreign substances including penetrated microorganisms.