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Scolex |
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scolex [′skō‚leks]
(invertebrate zoology) The head of certain tapeworms, typically having a muscular pad with hooks, and two pairs of lateral suckers. Scolex the head or anterior portion of the body of a tapeworm, or cestode, by which the parasite attaches itself to the wall of the host’s intestine. The scolex may have any one of various organs of attachment: bothria (longitudinal slits of which there are generally two), sucking disks, and chitinized hooks. In highly developed tapeworms the scolex has four semispheric muscular sucking disks. Many cestodes are characterized by a scolex having sucking disks and a proboscis with hooks. The structure of a scolex, especially of the organs of attachment, is often used in taxonomy for species identification. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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