Reticulation

 

Break up of emulsion caused by extreme changes of temperature during processing. 1 The image would look like dry cracked mud.

The formation of a coarse, crackled surface on the emulsion coating of a film during improper processing. If some process solution is too hot or too alkaline, it may cause excessive swelling of the emulsion and this swollen gelatin may fail to dry down as a smooth homogeneous layer. 2

References

1 Case, D., 1985, Motion Picture Film Processing, Media Manuals, Focal Press, London, Boston
2 Kodak: A Concise Glossary for the Non-Technician