Ultrastructural study of the neural fat-body system in the cockroach Periplaneta americana

The neural fat-body system of the ventral nerve cord in the cockroach Periplaneta americana was studied with the light and electron microscopes. This adipose tissue surrounds the connectives and extends over the ganglia. The adipose cells typically contain numerous extremely large lipid inclusions, pleomorphic lysosomes, and tightly packed glycogen granules. The neural lamella consists of a thick inner layer rich in collagen fibers and a thin outer layer of granular material. At points where the fat body is attenuated, this granular layer is split and the outer lamina is reflected superficially to ensheath and apparently to anchor the fat body.