Journal article

Publication year: 1998

Pages: 79-85

Journal: Zoomorphology

Volume number: 118

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0720-213X

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004350050059

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Electron microscopic studies on the cephalic aorta of Sepia officinalis characterise the tunica media as a highly specialised type of cross-striated muscle with complex cord-like and branched-off z-patches. These contain 10-nm filaments and show a lattice-like substructure which is evidence that they play a role in the particular viscoelastic function of this vessel. Analyses of freeze-etched preparations as well as TEM sections demonstrate desmosome-like contacts and largely extended gap junction areas between the closely interdigitated muscle cells. They suggest that the tunica media represents a functional syncytium in which the marginal muscle cells, the only ones to be innervated, can be seen as pace-maker cells in modulating the tonus of the vessel.

Harvard Citation style: Schipp, R., Versen, B. and Magdowski, G. (1998) The cephalic aorta of Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda, Dibranchiata):: structural muscular specialisations of a high pressure vessel, Zoomorphology, 118(2), pp. 79-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004350050059

APA Citation style: Schipp, R., Versen, B., & Magdowski, G. (1998). The cephalic aorta of Sepia officinalis (Cephalopoda, Dibranchiata):: structural muscular specialisations of a high pressure vessel. Zoomorphology. 118(2), 79-85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004350050059