rakkude poolt nende vahelisse ruumi sekreteeritud valkude ja polüsahhariidide segu, mis moodustab seal keerulise läbipõimunud võrkja struktuuri, The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a collection of extracellular molecules secreted by cells that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells. Because multicellularity evolved independently in different multicellular lineages, the composition of ECM varies between multicellular structures; however, cell adhesion, cell-to-cell communication and differentiation are common functions of the ECM.