Electron Microscope Studies on the Intestinal Epithelium of Ascaris suum

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Abstract
Electron microscope studies of the intestinal cells of Ascaris suum (Goeze, 1782) demonstrate that the bacillary layer consists of numerous microvilli. The microvilli are long, slender projections enclosed by the plasma membrane and have an inner core of longitudinal fibers. These fibers extend into the cell a short distance and terminate in the subbacillary layer. This layer and an adjacent layer consisting of a fibrous network and many small granules form the terminal web. The mid-region of the cell contains mitochondria, vesicles, glycogen deposits, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi zones, secretory granules, and lamellar bodies. Comparison of the lamellar bodies with similar forms in the literature indicates that they may be a form of lysosome. The nucleus is located in the basal portion of the cell adjacent to the numerous foldings of the basal plasma membrane. The entire epithelium is surrounded by a basal lamella. Blebs of the apical plasma membrane extending into the lumen indicate the possibility that secretory or excretory products of the cell are discharged into the lumen.