Musculo-epithelial cells are located throughout the epidermis. The cells look columnar. The outside of each cell is wide and free and the inside is closed and narrow. There are two muscle enhancers on the inside. It is also called muscle tail. Within the muscle tail are the contractile fibers myoneme. The cytoplasm of the cell contains a nucleus, mucous material and granular glands. The cells lining the musculature are large, flattened and contain nidocytes. Mucin is secreted from the mucous material and granules from the granular glands. Muscle sheath cells are interconnected to form an integral sheath.
Musculoskeletal function
(i) Musculature protects the body by creating a body covering.
(ii) Myoneme causes contraction-expansion of the body.
(iii) Mucous gland secretion keeps the body slippery.
(iv) It bears nematocysts.
(v) It helps in movement by contraction-expansion.
(vi) Mucous granules secreting sap form the cuticle.
(vii) It contains nidoblasts.
(viii) Keeps the body attached to an object.
(ix) Part rich in mucous granules participates in digestion.