Axoneme

Axoneme cross section.

The axoneme (formerly also called axis thread ) is a term from cell biology. It is a structure of microtubules that runs inside eukaryotic cilia . Nine peripheral double microtubules (A- and B-tubules with inner and outer Dynein arms) surround two single, central microtubules in the middle ("9x2 + 2" structure).

Axonemes are located e.g. B. in cinema cilia and sperm flagella . The axonemal motor protein is dynein .

The axial threads of the primary, non- motile flagella are also called axonemes . They lack the central pair of microtubules (structure 9x2 + 0) and the dynein.