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The cytoproct (cyp) is the site of spent vacuole defecation on
the surface of Paramecium. When closed the cytoproct forms a
long narrow wavy ridge along the posterior suture. At its apex the
ridge is about 0.2µm wide and it can be as much as 12µm or more in
length. This ridge has the ability to be pulled down against the
approaching spent vacuole where the plasma membrane covering the
midline of the ridge will meet and fuse with the membrane of the
vacuole. The ridge contains unique fibers on both of its lips that
mesh with each other as they meet inside the ridge (see Allen and
Wolf, J. Cell Sci. 14:611-631, 1974). EM taken on 4/19/79 by R. Allen
with Hitachi HU11A TEM. Neg. 10,000X. Bar = 0.5µm.
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