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In this article we will discuss about the structure of echinococcus with the help of diagram.
1. It is the slide of Echinococcus which is a cestode endoparasite of dogs, cats and foxes and which is commonly known an “hydrated worm”.
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2. The worm is small, dorsoventrally flattened and is ribbon shaped.
3. It is generally comprised of four segments- The scolex, an immature segment, a mature segment and a gravid segment.
4. The scolex is retractile, located on a small slender neck and bears four suckers arranged in four rediae and a mouth supported with double rings of 30-35 hooks-the rostellum.
5. The immature segment contains rudiments of various organs but the mature segment contains male and female reproductive organs only.
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6. The gravid segment contains irregular uterus full of developing eggs -the onchospheres and a genital opening.
7. Intermediate host is man, monkey and catties etc. in which it transforms into a hydatid cyst.