The '''pinacoderm''' is the outermost layer of body cells ('''pinacocytes''') of organisms of the phylum Porifera (sponges), equivalent to the epidermis in other animals.
==Structure== The pinacoderm is composed of pinacocytes, flattened epithelial cells that can expand or contract to slightly alter the size and shape of the sponge.<ref>{{cite book|title=General Zoology Laboratory Guide|edition=Fourteenth|author1=Charles F. Lytle |author2=John R. Meyer |date=2005}}</ref> It also contains porocytes, oval-shaped cells extending from the pinacoderm to the choanoderm (the body layer containing choanocytes).
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Sponge anatomy
{{sponge-stub}} {{animal-anatomy-stub}}