Morphology and three-dimensional reconstruction of the digestive system of Periplaneta americana.

A three-dimensional (3-D) model of the digestive system of Periplaneta americana was built for the first time based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, the study of multiple cross-sections of the larval cockroach, and 3-D reconstruction technology. The digestive system of P. americana includes the foregut, midgut, and hindgut and takes up most of the celom. The foregut comprises almost one half of the digestive system (43.57%). The midgut, the critical region for digestion and absorption, has the second highest volume ratio (35.21%). The hindgut, with the lowest volume ratio (21.22%), includes the ileum, colon, and rectum. After the ileal valve is the colon. The 3-D model presented in this paper provides a stereoscopic view for studying the adjacent relationship and arrangement of different gut sections of P. americana.