The Body Parts of a Tapeworm

Tapeworms are a parasitic flatworm from the class cestodes that live in the intestines of humans or other animals. Tapeworm infestations occur when the host ingests the tapeworm segments or the individual eggs. This can occur from eating undercooked meat of an infested animal such as a pig or cow. The tapeworm eggs can also be consumed in contaminated food or water.

Types

• Humans can be infected with several species of tapeworm. Some types include the beef tapeworm, the fish tapeworm, the dwarf tapeworm and the pork tapeworm. Tapeworms attach to the intestines causing a mild irritation, or they may pass through the entire digestive system unnoticed. The only tapeworm capable of living its entire life in its host is the dwarf tapeworm.

Head

• The knoblike head of a tapeworm, called a scolex, has several hook-like apparatus or suckers that are used to attach itself to the intestinal wall of its host. Some tapeworms will have only the hook-like structures without the suckers.

Neck

• The neck of the tapeworm is a short, well-defined area located right behind the head. It is smooth, flat and unsegmented. This is also where the new segments are formed.

Segments

• The whole segmented part of a tapeworm is called the strobila. The separate segments are called proglottids. A chain of proglottids may reach 15 to 20 feet in some instances. The segments of a tapeworm are where the reproductive organs are located. Each tapeworm will have a complete set of male and female organs. Most tapeworms will need to have a partner to fertilize the eggs, but some species are able to fertilize themselves. These segments hold the fertilized eggs, when the eggs are mature the segment will break off and pass through the host in their feces. The eggs have a protective coating that keeps them from hatching, until they are eaten by a new host to continue the cycle.

Warning

• Tapeworm infestation has few to no symptoms. Rarely the host will experience nausea, cramping and diarrhea. Weight loss has also been noted in some instances. The first sign of infection is usually the shedding of proglittids in the bedding or undergarments. Segments may also be seen in the feces of the host.
  The pork tapeworm can, however, have serious complications. Traveling throughout the host's body the tapeworm migrates to the body organs. The tapeworm mainly lodges in the liver causing cysts that will press against blood vessels causing flow to be restricted. When this happens the vessels may burst or the tissue may die from lack of blood. When the liver becomes infected, a liver transplant may need to be performed.