05/17/2025
“The extracellular matrix (ECM) whose fluid component is referred to as ground substance. Ground substance is the viscous fluid that facilitates chemical and molecular exchanges between blood, lymph and cells. It is the most immediate environment of every tissue in the human body.” Juhan, 2003 Microtubules and the extracellular matrix.....a super-simplified take: The extracellular matrix is a gel-like substance that is the immediate environment of every cell of the body, and it communicates with every cell via hollow, fluid-filled straw-like structures called microtubules. It occurred to me today as I was at the bank drivethru.....this whole send/receive banking system is a bit similar to how the extracellular matrix of the fascia, and each cell, communicate! Picture me, (I’m now young and blonde-hey, it’s my story! 😁) as a cell. I need a deposit slip. I need a pen. I need to check my balance. I need to order checks. I need money. So, I put my request in the container and send it through the hollow tube (microtubules) to the bank teller (extracellular matrix). The teller (extracellular matrix) then passes my request along (to the body) until all the things I need are gathered. Then, the teller (extracellular matrix) sends them to me (cell) via the hollow tube (microtubules). Voila!
