Functional Histology: The Tissues of Common Coleoid Cephalopods

Abstract

The knowledge of the organization of normal tissues and the changes occurring during physiological or pathological processes is basic to interpret the relationship between structure and function. There are numerous microscopic studies focused on different cephalopod organs that are based on the use of high-resolution methods as the transmission electron microscopy. However, there is no comprehensive basic histological guide to the different tissues in common species of cephalopods. To fill this gap, we present a careful description of the normal histological organization of cephalopods. Through 35 plates including 225 photomicrographs and the accompanying text descriptions, this chapter covers the body systems of three common species of European coleoid cephalopods, the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), the squid (Loligo vulgaris) and the octopus (Octopus vulgaris). The histology of the three species is presented in parallel, emphasizing those significant between-species differences. Sections used for study and photomicrographs were mostly stained with hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), a standard light microscopy method widely accessible for most laboratories of histology and pathology. Some sections of octopus were stained the Masson’s trichrome or the periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) methods.