Lamellated receptors in the skin of the hagfish, Myxine glutinosa.

The adult hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, does not exhibit a lateral line system. The hypodermal layer of the dorsal head and body skin contains a prominent receptor system--lamellated corpuscles--arranged in a segmental pattern close to the body fascia. The topography and the structural organization of the lamellated receptors are described at the light- and electronmicroscopical levels. Spinal nerves supply the lamellated receptor organs. A mechanoreceptive function and evolutionary aspects are discussed.