Actinopharynx: Throat, stomodaeum, gullet, aesophagus, or pharynx; the tube that leads from the mouth into the coelenteron (Carlgren, 1949: p. 7). Because the actinopharynx is an invagination of the column, its lining is ectodermal.

Transverse Diagram at the level of the Actinopharynx:

Actinopharynx Images:(species names are linked to the Hexacorallian database)

Species Octineon lindahli

CAPTION
Fig. 6.-The invaginated stomodæum [oral disc, and inturned column] removed from the body-cavity. At its base are seen [ten of] the evaginated tentacles [lying in pouches of the oral disc] which there [surround?] the mouth, the entrance to the æsophagus.

Species Ptychodactis patula

CAPTION
Fig. 4. Ein Ausläufer des Schlundrohres mit den oberen Theilen zweier an denselben befestigten, vollständigen Septa. Vergr.

Species Phellia crassa

CAPTION
Fig. 5. Do., transversal section of a fold of the gullet-tube, magnified. a. Endothelium of the outer surface of the gullet-tube; b. Connective-tissue; c. Fillet-formed prolongation of the connective-tissue; d. Circular muscles; e. Longitudinal muscle-fibres; f. The epithelium on the inner surface of the gullet-tube; g. An empty unicellular mucous gland; h. Another such gland filled.

Species Limnactinia nuda.

CAPTION Longitudinal section of the evaginated actinopharynx (a, b), the oral disc (c, d) and the upper part of the column (e).

 

  

Species Edwardsia andresi


CAPTION
transversal section of a portion of the aesophagus. a. Epithelium; b. Connective-tissue; c. Musculous layer; d. Pyramidal connective-tissue prominence on the inner wall of the connective-tissue; e. Epithelium with cilia.