Definition of Extracellular matrix

1. Noun. (context: anatomy cytology) All the connective tissues and fibres that are not part of a cell, but rather provide support. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Extracellular matrix

1. Any material produced by cells and secreted into the surrounding medium, but usually applied to the noncellular portion of animal tissues. The ecm of connective tissue is particularly extensive and the properties of the ecm determine the properties of the tissue. In broad terms there are three major components: fibrous elements particularly collagen, elastin or reticulin), link proteins (e.g. Fibronectin, laminin) and space filling molecules (usually glycosaminoglycans). The matrix may be mineralised to resist compression (as in bone) or dominated by tension resisting fibres (as in tendon). The basal lamina of epithelial cells is another commonly encountered ecm. Although ecm is produced by cells, it has recently become clear that the ecm can influence the behaviour of cells quite markedly, an important factor to consider when growing cells in vitro: removing cells from their normal environment can have far reaching effects. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Extracellular Matrix

extrabuccal
extrabulbar
extracaliceal
extracampine
extracapsular
extracapsular fracture
extracapsular ligaments
extracardiac
extracardiac murmur
extracarpal
extracellular
extracellular enzyme
extracellular fluid
extracellular fluid volume
extracellular matrices
extracellular matrix
extracellular matrix proteins
extracellular space
extracellular toxin
extracellularly
extracelomic
extracerebral
extrachorial pregnancy
extrachromosomal
extrachromosomal DNA
extrachromosomal element
extrachromosomal gene
extrachromosomal inheritance
extrachromosomally

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