Pleurobranchaea dissections

Pleurobranchaea Dissections

Pleurobranchaea Muscle Organization & Innervation The longitudinal muscles (A, B, C) are innervated by bilaterally symmetrical nerves from the pedal ganglion and cerebropleural ganglion. Based on its innervation and distribution, LBWM can be divided into two functional parts:
		Major portions of LBWM are located laterally on the body wall appear to mediate lateral body wall bend/turning and are innervated by the pLBWN, some branches from aLBWN and BWN (since aLBWN and BWN anastomose). The pLBWN on the right side sends one major nerve branch (Pedal-genital connective) to the genital ganglion.
		Anterior portions of LBWM terminate in all head organs, including oral veil, tentacle and rhinophore, and feeding organs, including mouth, oral tube and buccal mass, suggesting a possible role in the head movement and feeding. These anterior portions of the muscles are innervated by pedal nerve2, mouth nerves and maybe LOVN and SOVN. Body wall muscles medial to LBWM are primarily innnervated by aLBWN and BWN. Foot muscles are innervated by pedal nerves. Anterior, medial and posterior portions of the muscles are innervated by anterior, medial and posterior pedal nerves (aPN, mPN, pPN) respectively. Overnight staining with methylene blue allows visualization of the longitudinal body wall muscles (A, B, C) and the step ladder-like foot muscles.

Pleurobranchaea Central Nervous System This neural network is organized in a circumesophageal manner and is composed of a 4 types of interconnected ganglia (cerebral, pedal, buccal, visceral).
CNS - General Organization The cerebral ganglion (CG), in a rostral position, is connected to the pedal ganglia via the lateral CPC's, and to the buccal ganglion (BG) via a pair of CBCs, and to the visceral ganglion (not shown). The BG regulates feeding, the PG locomotion, and the CG central processing. CLICK TO ENLARGE

		Esophagus Position The esophagus is the dark tube connecting the buccal mass (the feeding apparatus) to the crop/stomach.
		Esophagus Removal - Radula The esophagus is usually dissected away to reveal the radula before the nervous system is carefully isolated into saline and readied for experimental manipulation.