solenocyte

solenocyte (noun; Greek solen, pipe; kytos, container): Specially modified tubular, ciliated or flagellated cells occurring in protonephridia and nephridia of some invertebrates and lower chordates. a. In protonephridial systems called flame cells or flame bulb; collectively all the flame bulbs, their collecting tubes, 'bladder' when present, and external orifices; present in such invertebrates as: platyhelminths, nemertines, priapulids, rotifers, kinorhynchs, gastrotrichs and some annelids; function uncertain, may be excretory, osmotic pressure regulator or both. b. In nephridial systems of some invertebrates and lower chordates its function is attributed to excretion; structure similar to flame bulb system, but supplied with blood vessels, to help filtration and absorption from blood

See also: archinephridium.