Solenocyte

In biology, solenocytes are elongated, flagellated cells commonly found in lower invertebrates, such as flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes), chordates (sub-phylum Cephalochordata) and several other animal species.

[4] A nephridium contains approximately 500 solenocytes, each of which is roughly 50 microns in length (this measure includes the nucleated cell body and tubule).

[citation needed] The excretory organ of Amphioxus (genus Branchiostoma) belcheri contains clusters of solenocytes (the majority of which are situated along the ligamentum denticulatum coelomic surface).

These clusters are composed at patterned intervals, generating groups amongst the renal tubules of B. belcheri, which in a way, resemble mesothelial cells surrounding the human body's internal organs.

[2] Additional studies indicate a resemblance to vertebrate podocytes, as vascular fluid within the ligamentum denticulatum may travel into the coelom through the narrow network of solenocyte gaps or foot processes.

These motile appendages extend from the solenocyte membrane and utilize the support of an axial filament (or axoneme), basal body, as well as numerous microtubules.

[7][8] Thousands of walking dynein motors are attached to the axoneme doublets, resulting in the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which fuels flagellar motility.

[9] In sum, flagellar motility enables solenocytes to waft excretory materials and coelomic fluid down the intracellular tubule lumen.

[5][12][13] Compared to paired series of protonephridia, Hatschek's nephridium is a large unpaired excretory structure found within Branchiostoma virginiae.