Figure 4

Details of the digestive tract of Loxosomatoides sirindhornae. (a) Longitudinal section showing the ciliated mouth opening and esophagus on the right side as well as in parts of the stomach, including the conspicuous stomach roof on the left. The central nervous system and several mesenchymatous cells of the body cavity lie between the stomach and esophagus. (b) Detail of the esophagus-stomach transition showing the conspicuous cells at the border and the dense ciliation reaching into the stomach. (c) Cross-section through the esophagus showing its thicker and more vesicular side towards the stomach. The dumbbell-shape of the central nervous system is visible together with both terminal ducts of the nephridial system. (d) Longitudinal section showing details of the stomach. The orally situated roof of the stomach bears a conspicuous epithelium with many vesicles. (e) Longitudinal section through the intestine showing a prominently stained layer (asterisk) below the dense ciliation. (f) Details of the rectum with its conspicuous vesicular epithelium. Bordering the anal opening, several fibres of the anal sphincter are visible (arrow). Abbreviations: an - anus, atc - atrial cavity, c - cilia, cns - central nervous system, es - esophagus, int - intestine, mc - mesenchymatous cell, mo - mouth opening, rec - rectum, sto - stomach, stor - stomach roof, td - terminal duct.