A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere.
Material produced by cells and excreted to the extracellular space within the tissues. It takes the form of both ground substance and fibers and is composed chiefly of fibrous elements, proteins involved in cell adhesion, glycosaminoglycans, and other space‐filling molecules. It serves as a scaffold for holding tissues together, and its form and composition help determine tissue characteristics. The matrix may be mineralized to resist compression (as in bone) or dominated by tension‐resisting fibers (as in tendon).
The solid or liquid material that is produced by and surrounds the cells of connective tissues.