garland cell garland cell nephrocyte GCN wreath cell Large cell that forms a 'garland' around the anterior end of the proventriculus (cardia) at its junction with the esophagus in both adults and larvae. There are a group of these, with each cell surrounded by a basement membrane, with numerous micro-invaginations (lacunae) extending from the surface into the cytoplasm. At the mouth of each lacuna is a doubled filament forming a specialized filtration system (diaphragm). The filtrate is endocytosed from the lacunae. FBbt:00005059 CL:0000486 fly_anatomy.ontology nephrocyte