Parietal Muscles: A well-defined longitudinal muscle lying along the line of insertion of the mesentery onto the column wall (Stephenson, 1928: p. 40). It is about equally developed on both faces of the mesentery. Parietal muscles are associated with the other longitudinal mesenterial muscles, the retractor muscles. They are only found in abasilar sea anemones (those that do not have basilar muscles).

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

Species: Edwardsia finmarchica.

Caption: Transverse section of a parietal muscle in the reproduction tract.

Species: Edwardsia finmarchica.

Caption: Transverse section of parietal muscle in the lower part of the actinopharynx.

Species: Edwardsia armata.

Caption: Cross section through the parietal muscle of a macrocneme.

Species: Edwardsia callianthus

Caption: A transverse section of a parietal muscle in the upper part of the fertile region of Edwardsia callianthus. (The mesogloea is shown as black.)

Species: Edwardsia danica.

Caption: Transverse section of parietal muscle in the upper part of the reproductive tract.