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GO:0097597

Specialized organelle found in Giardia species (trophozoite stage) and characterized by a spiral array of microtubules and microtubule-associated structures including dorsal microribbons and crossbridges. The edge of the ventral disc narrows into a lateral crest. The ventral disk mediates mechanical attachment of the trophozoite to the host's intestinal wall, and contains the contractile proteins actinin, alpha-actinin, myosin, and tropomyosin working towards contraction of the disk involved in adherence

Due to the asymmetric nature of the Giardia trophozoite, this term is defined spatially as the trophozoite is viewed from the dorsal side, with the two nuclei dorsal to the ventral disc, and the ventral disc toward the anterior.

1. adhesive disc
2. ventral adhesive disc
3. ventral disk

1. GOC: giardia
2. ISBN 9780124260207
3. PMID 11432808
4. PMID 4777416
5. PMID 5961344

is an element of the parent element

is a part of the parent element

is related to the parent element

derives from the parent element

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