In this article we will discuss about the Tentaculocyst of Aurelia with the help of a diagram.
1. It is the slide of tentaculocyst of Aurelia which is also known as rhopallium statocyst.
2. It is a club-shaped structure and is located between the two marginal lappets. It is covered by the hood (the bell margin) on outer side.
3. Inside the distal end of the club-shaped structure lies a mass of polygonal statolith cells containing statolith particles of Calcium sulphate and Calcium phosphate.
4. A pad of ciliated sensory epitheliae ceils lies below the club-shaped structure & the epidermis at the sides & base of tentaculocysts is thickened & tall sensor/ epithelial cells are found at intervals.
5. The tentaculocyst is traversed by an extension of circular canal and is therefore a specialized hollow tentacle.
6. It is the organ of equilibrium and controls the umbrella surface during swimming.