Helical fibrils in the mesoglea of a hydropolyp.
A hitherto unknown type of helical fibrils has been detected in the mesoglea of Myriothela cocksi. In the heads of the tentacles these fibrils occur in bundles and are especially well developed in the mesoglea of the mouth tentacles. From the structure of the bundles, from their extension, and from an associated increased number of nematocytes with a strong pedicel in the mouth tentacles it is suggested that the fibril bundles play a supportive role in nematocyte attachment.
D000818:Animals; D003063:Cnidaria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009132:Muscles / Q000648:ultrastructure