Structure:

The internal reticular apparatus is a membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells and is typically located near the nucleus and the endoplasmic reticulum. It is absent in prokaryotic cells, which lack membrane-bound organelles. Structurally, the internal reticular apparatus consists of a series of flattened sacs known as cisternae, which are usually arranged in parallel stacks within the cytoplasm.[1]

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This organelle is functionally polarized and organized into distinct regions. These include the cis-Golgi network, cis-Golgi, medial-Golgi, and trans-Golgi compartments. Proteins and lipids synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum enter the Golgi apparatus at the cis-Golgi network and progress sequentially through the cisternae toward the trans-Golgi, where they are sorted and packaged for distribution.[1] The orderly arrangement of these compartments reflects the progressive modification and processing of cellular products.[1]