Q.What are the blood glands of Pheretima?

[!TLDR] Blood glands in Pheretima are paired anterior structures that manufacture blood cells and haemoglobin. …

[!ANSWER] The blood glands are a haemopoietic (blood-forming) tissue found in specific anterior segments of Pheretima.

Located in a few particular anterior segments and closely associated with the main blood vessels, the blood glands are paired glandular masses believed to be responsible for manufacturing the earthworm's blood cells and haemoglobin. In this respect they function somewhat analogously to bone marrow in vertebrates, supplying the fluid, coelomic and vascular system of Pheretima with the cellular and pigment components of its blood …

• Confusing blood glands with spermathecae — both are paired anterior structures in Pheretima but serve entirely different functions (blood formation vs sperm storage). …