Morphology and ultrastructure of pharyngeal sense organs of Drosophila larvae

Why clinicians should know about it

• Picked for Histology (paper of the day, 25 October 2026): Detailed sensory-organ architecture and ultrastructure by microscopy

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive ultrastructural analysis of the pharyngeal sensory system in Drosophila melanogaster larvae, focusing on the four major pharyngeal sense organs: the ventral pharyngeal sensilla (VPS), dorsal pharyngeal sensilla (DPS), dorsal pharyngeal organ (DPO), and posterior pharyngeal sensilla (PPS). Our analysis revealed 15 sensilla across these organs, comprising four mechanosensory, nine chemosensory, and two dual-function sensilla. We identified 35 Type I neurons (6 mechanosensory and 29 chemosensory) and 6 Type II neurons with putative chemosensory functions. Additional sensory structures, including papilla sensilla and chordotonal organs in the cephalopharyngeal region, were characterized. This detailed mapping and classification of pharyngeal sensory structures completes their structural characterization and provides a foundation for future anatomical and functional studies of sensory perception in insects. This work represents a significant step toward a complete analysis of the larval sensory system, providing new opportunities for investigating how an organism processes sensory information to navigate and interact with its environment.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.