Reticuloendothelial system
Objectives
At the end of this lecture, student will be able to
• Explain Reticuloendothelial system
• Name different tissue macrophages
• List functions of RES
Content
• Reticuloendothelial system (RES)
• Classification of RES cells
• Functions of RES
Reticuloendothelial system and tissue macrophages
• Also known as:
– Monocyte-Macrophage system
– Mononuclear Phagocytic System
– Lymphoreticular system.
• Collection of cells united by the common property of phagocytosis.
• It is a generalized phagocytic system located in all tissues.
• Especially in those tissues where large quantities of particles, toxins, and other unwanted substances must be
destroyed
• Ex: spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, lungs.
Reticuloendothelial system
• System of cells which have highly phagocytic properties.
• RES consists of:
– Monocytes
– Mobile (wandering) tissue macrophages
– Fixed tissue macrophase or fixed histiocytes
MONOCYTES
• Largest leucocytes.
• Immature cells present in blood, with little ability to fight infectious agent.
• After 72 hours they enter the tissues to become ‘tissue macrophages’.
