What is "cuvierian organ"

Cuverian organ In holothuria lower branches of respiratory trees from tubular cuvierian glands which produce a sticky substance. When the animal is attacked or irritated, the Cuvierian organ and viscera are thrown out and the enemy is entangled in the sticky threads. The lost organ regenerates in 2–3 weeks. Example:- Holothuroidea, sea cucumber etc.

These unique structure are only found in some species of Aspidochirotida, more precisely in the genera: ''Actinopyga, Holothuria, Pearsonothuria, and Bohadschia.''''

Cuvierian organs are intracoelomic caeca that generally occur in great number (up to 600) and attach to the basal part of the left respiratory tree. Cuvierian tubules are defensive organs. Irritated, the holothuroids expel them through the anus The expelled tubules lengthen, become sticky and rapidly immobilize most organisms with which they come in contact! The adhesion of Cuvierian tubules is remarkable in several respects: → adhesion occurs in seawater → adhesion is achieved in a matter of seconds (less than 10 sec) → adhesion remains active during several hours.