reticuloendothelial system (RES)

Introduction

A term originally in reference to putative phagocytes, destined for obsolescence replaced by the recognition of monocytes & macrophages.

The RES includes:

• macrophages
• cells lining the sinusoids of lymphoid tissues
  • spleen
  • lymph nodes
  • bone marrow
• fibroblasts of hematopoietic tissues