The digestive system of the cephalocarid Hutchinsoniella macracantha (Crustacea)
The digestive tract of the cephalocarid Hutchinsoniella macracantha begins with an atrium oris, posterior to the mouth. The esophagus loops up through the head and ends with a valve to the midgut. The epithelial cells and cuticle of both these structures are connected with long, winding, apically distended microvilli. The midgut is a straight tube with a pair of diverticula anteriorly. Midgut epit