Microscopic, almost nonelastic, branching fibers of connective tissue that join together to form a delicate supportive meshwork around blood vessels, muscle fibers, glands, nerves, etc. They are composed of a collagen like protein (reticulin) and are particularly common in lymph nodes, the spleen, liver, kidneys, and muscles.
One of the extremely fine argyrophilic (silver-staining) fibers found in reticular tissue.