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Vascular follicle system of the sea cucumber, Stichopus moebii
Author(s) -
Herreid Clyde F.,
Defesi Charles R.,
Larussa Vincent F.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051540103
Subject(s) - follicle , biology , lumen (anatomy) , epithelium , anatomy , connective tissue , basement membrane , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics
Sea cucumbers, Stichopus moebii , have a unique specialization of their blood vascular system: The vascular follicle network is composed of numerous small chambers (follicles) interconnected by minute vessels. The fine structure of the follicle system was studied in detail. The follicles are composed of several layers: an external ciliated epithelium, neuromuscular layer and basement membrane, connective tissue, and a fenestrated endothelial lining. The follicle lumen is filled with coelomocytes and necrotic cells surrounding particles of iron. The follicle may function in coelomocyte production and destruction.