Cestodes

Cestodes

Cestodes (pronounced: ses-toads) are a type of parasitic flatworms, belonging to the class Cestoda. They are more commonly known as tapeworms due to their flat, ribbon-like body structure.

Etymology

The term "Cestodes" is derived from the Greek word "kestos", meaning "girdle", referring to the flat, belt-like appearance of these worms.

Description

Cestodes are characterized by their elongated, flat bodies, which can range in size from a few millimeters to several meters. They lack a digestive system and absorb nutrients directly through their skin. The body of a cestode is divided into a series of segments called proglottids. Each proglottid contains a complete set of male and female reproductive organs, allowing the cestode to reproduce asexually.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of cestodes involves two hosts. The adult worm resides in the intestine of the definitive host, where it attaches to the intestinal wall using a specialized structure called a scolex. The eggs produced by the cestode are passed out of the host in feces and ingested by an intermediate host, typically a small mammal or fish. In the intermediate host, the eggs hatch into larvae, which migrate to various tissues and develop into cysticerci. When the definitive host consumes the intermediate host, the cysticerci develop into adult worms.

Medical Significance

Cestodes are of significant medical importance as they can cause a variety of diseases in humans, collectively known as cestodiasis. The most well-known of these is taeniasis, caused by the tapeworm species Taenia solium and Taenia saginata. Other notable diseases include echinococcosis, caused by the Echinococcus species, and diphyllobothriasis, caused by the Diphyllobothrium species.

Related Terms

• Helminths: A broad term for parasitic worms, including cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes.
• Anthelmintics: Drugs used to treat infections caused by helminths.
• Parasitology: The study of parasites and their interactions with their hosts.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cestodes
• Wikipedia's article - Cestodes

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