• 5.
Setae
• All segments except first, last, and
clitellum, formed of a nitrogenous organic
substance chitin ( insoluble in KOH )
• About 80-120 setae ( S- shaped) are
present on each segment, embedded in
setal sac.
• Setae are arranged in an annular row in
the mid-ventral surface of each segment.
This type of arrangement is known as peri-
chaetine arrangement.
• Each seta consists of 3 parts:
• i. neck
• ii. nodulus and
• iii. root or body
• Setae are absent in 1st , last and clitellar
region
• The movement of setae is controlled by
special types of muscle. They are
• Protractor muscle causes extension
• Retractor muscle causes withdrawal of
setae
• 7. Body wall
1. Cuticle
2. Epidermis
3. Musculature or Muscles
4. Coelomic epithelium
• 1. Cuticle
• It is a thin , double layered, elastic,
non-cellular , non chitinous and
albuminoid
• This layer is protective in function.
• 2. Epidermis
• It is single-layered but multicellular
• a. Supporting cells- forms major part
of epidermis
• b. Gland cells- 2 types
• i. Mucous cells or goblet cells
• secrete mucus which keeps the body moist.
• ii. Albumen cells
• secretes albumen.
• c. Basal cells
• Later on differentiated into supporting cells
and gland cells hence it is also known as
replacing cells.
• d. Sensory receptor cells
• Helps in receiving stimuli
• 3. Musculature or Muscles
• consists of an outer thin layer of circular
muscle and an inner thick layer of
longitudinal muscle
• The contraction of circular muscles
makes the body long and narrow. ( Helps
in movement)
• While the contraction of longitudinal
muscles makes the body short and
broad. ( provide energy for next stroke)
• 4. Coelomic epithelium or parietal
peritoneum
• Inner wall in contact with coelomic
cavity
Body wall maintains shape,
provides protection, perceive
stimuli, help in locomotion and
respiration
Coelom
• Presence of schizocoelem
• Contains milky white alkaline coelomic
fluid
• Coelomic fluid contains water, salt,
minerals and 4 types of corpuscles
• 1) Amoebocytes/phagocytes/granulocytes
Larger in size and more in number
Engulf pathogens
• 2) Chloragogen cells or yellow cells
Small, star shaped
Storage of reserve food ( Glycogen)
Deamination of protein and urea
formation
Analogous to liver of vertebrate
• 3) Leucocytes: circular nucleated cells,
function unknown
• 4) Mucocytes: fan like structure ,
phagocytic
• 6. External Apertures
• a. Mouth
• Crescentic aperture
• 1st segment (Peristomium), helps in
ingestion of food
• b. Anus
• vertical slit-like aperture
• Last segment (Pygidium), helps in
egestion of food
• c. Genital openings
• 1. Male genital aperture
A pair of openings of common prostatic and spermatic ducts
situated ventrally in the 18th segment.
Releases sperm
• 2. Female genital aperture
A single median aperture of oviducts situated at the ventral
side in the 14th segment in the clitellar region.
Releases ova
• d. Genital papillae or male genital papilla
• On the ventral side of the 17th and 19th segments.
• Opening of accessory gland
• Helps in attachment
• e. Spermathecal pores
• 4 pairs of ventrolateral spermathecal apertures
along intersegmental between the grooves of
5/6, 6/7, 7/8, and 8/9 segments.
• Spermatheca in 6, 7, 8 and 9th segment , helps
receiving of sperm
• Diverticulum stores sperm and ampulla
provides nutrition to sperm