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”.
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.
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.