The neurosecretory system of the vena cava in Cephalopoda II. Sepia officinalis and Octopus vulgaris

Abstract

A system of nerves (called for short NSV system), described previously in Eledone cirrosa, whose only task appears to be the formation of a fine neuropile in the vena cava, is present also in Sepia officinalis It has a similar disposition to that in Eledone but shows certain special features. It is composed of neurons the cell bodies of which are located in a layer (NSV layer) of the visceral lobe of the brain and in the paired ganglionic trunks, termed the lateral and medial NSV trunks, which emerge from the visceral lobe with the posterior infundibular and visceral nerves respectively. After accompanying these nerves for some distance these trunks take an independent course and give off some tapering branches ending blindly in the loose connective tissue.