Water vascular system

The ambulacral (or Ambulakralsystem ), also called the water vascular system is a typical feature for the root of Echinodermata ( echinoderms, such as starfish and sea urchins ). It consists of a duct system inside the animals, which is filled with a special liquid and an annular channel includes the throat of the animal from which spring from five Radiärkanäle. The name of the water vascular system is somewhat misleading because it is not the liquid is sea water, but protein-containing coelomic fluid. The outside of the animal is the ambulacral on the small tentacle-like feet visible.

The ambulacral is a hydraulic system. By means of the liquid and small muscular ampoules inside the Echinodermata able small feet, which are often also equipped with suction cups are to move.

Another component of the Ambulacralsystems forming the madrepores plate ( also called sieve plate ), which is clearly visible on the top of starfish and sea urchins. This small, porous structure serves to equalize the pressure. An exchange of seawater takes place through the pore openings of the madrepores plate.

Beach sea urchin ( Psammechinus miliaris ) - clearly visible are far beyond the spines pushed out Ambulacralfüsse

Starfish, bottom ( Asteroidea )

• Anatomy (eddy lots)