Health Dictionary
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Gastrovascular cavity
Introduction
Overview
Gastro vascular cavity, as the name indicates, functions in both digestion and gas exchange. Organisms belonging to two major phyla, the Cnidaria and the Platyhelminthes, possess gastrovascular cavities. The radially symmetrical cnidarians have a sac-like body in two distinct layers, the epidermis and gastrodermis, with a jellylike layer called the mesoglea between. Extracellular digestion takes place within the central cavity of the sac-like body. This cavity has only one opening to the outside and, in most cnidarians, that is surrounded by tentacles which serve to capture prey.
Organisms with a gastrovascular cavity:
- Jellyfish such as Aurelia
- Sea anemones
- Corals
- Sea pens (also known as Sea Pansies)
- Flatworms