Ultrastructure of the ventral sucker of Schistosoma mansoni cercaria.

The ventral sucker of Schistosoma mansoni cercaria is a cup-shaped structure that is attached to the ventral surface of the organism by a homogeneous connective tissue that surrounds the acetabular glands. The sucker consists of an extensive complex of circular and longitudinal muscles. The longitudinal muscles extend outward in a radial pattern to form the cup of the organ. Intermingled with the muscles are nerve bundles and subtegumental cells (cytons). Dendritic nerve fibers connect to sensory papillae which are found on the surface tegument. Two types of sensory papillae are present: a commonly found unsheathed uniciliated papilla, and a previously unidentified tegumental encapsulated structure. Tegument with spines covers the ventral sucker, although the tegumental encapsulated sensory papilla lacks spines.