A stichosome (from Greek stichos (στίχος) = row; soma (σῶμα) = body) is a multicellular organ that is very prominent in some species of nematodes and consists of a longitudinal series of glandular cells (stichocytes) arranged in a row along the oesophagus that forms the posterior esophageal glands.Despommier DD, Müller M. The stichosome and its secretion granules in the mature muscle larva of Trichinella spiralis. Journal of Parasitology, 1976 Oct;62(5):775-85. Chitwood, B. G. & Chitwood, M. B. (1950). Introduction to Nematology (Vol. 1). Baltimore: Monumental Printing Co. Individual stichocytes contain networks of intracellular canaliculi and open into the esophageal lumen by a narrow duct process, likely with secretory functions. Function as a storage organ has also been proposed.
Notable taxa with stichosomes are families Mermithidae, Trichinellidae and Trichuridae within order Stichosomida and class Adenophorea, alternatively classified as the orders Trichinellida and Mermithida within subclass Dorylaimia and class Enoplea.
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