Tubule of the hepatopancreas of <i>Ligia italica</i> from Vendicari Natural Reserve.

<p>A–B: SEM, C: LM, D: TEM. A) The tubule shows a regular spiral trend and it is possible to observe the basal portions of S and B cells that protrude from its surface. B) A network of miocytes (arrow) surrounds the thin basal lamina that covers the surface of the tubules. C) Cross section of the proximal region of a tubule. B, dome-shaped large cells; S, small cells. The body of the B cells is filled with numerous lipid droplets. L, lumen of the organ (Semithin section; Sato and Shamoto stain). D) The basal plasmalemma of the B cells makes a typical membranous labyrinth characterized by a relevant number of tubular invaginations; Bl, basal lamina. Scale bar: A = 200 μm; B = 30 μm; C = 20 μm; D = 0.5 μm.