About 30% of the trophozoites of Giardia lamblia, fixed while adherent to the substrate using fixative solutions designed to better preserve cytoskeletal elements, showed the presence of a ventral disk. This structure varied in shape and size and could be seen by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as by confocal laser scanning microscopy of cells incubated with 3-3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide, which labels cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. It could also be observed in living adherent cells. A row of microtubules, a large number of glycogen particles, peripheral vesicles and concentric membranes were seen within the protrusion.