Nephridial innervation in the leech Hirudo medicinalis L.

SummaryThe main organs for salt and water homeostasis in the medicinal leech, the nephridia, were found to be densely innervated by a single branch of the corresponding median anterior segmental nerve.The projections of two different neurons into the nephridia are described:1.Dendritic projections of the previously identified, afferent ‘nephridial nerve cell’, a possible salt receptor, lie between the urine forming cells and the blood vessels supplying the nephridium without making any contact.2.Projections of an unidentified neuron which contains dense-core vesicles (85 nm) as well as smaller clear vesicles (45 nm) contact the primary urine forming canaliculus cells. The neurosecretory role of these neurons is considered.

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