bladder worm
Noun: A bladder worm is the encysted, sac-like larval stage of a tapeworm. It is a fluid-filled cyst that develops in the intermediate host's tissues and contains the head of the future adult tapeworm.
The term "bladder worm" is a specific zoological and parasitological term. It is used to describe this particular larval form in the life cycle of certain cestodes (tapeworms).
- The veterinarian identified the cysts in the sheep's liver as bladder worms of the tapeworm .
- Under the microscope, the bladder worm appeared as a clear, fluid-filled vesicle.
- The life cycle involves a carnivore host ingesting meat containing the bladder worm.
In parasitology, the bladder worm stage is also known by the more technical term cysticercus (plural: cysticerci). The specific type of bladder worm causing human cysticercosis is Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of Taenia solium (the pork tapeworm).
- Cysticercus: The scientific term for this type of bladder worm larva.
- Coenurus: Another type of larval tapeworm cyst that contains multiple heads (protoscoleces), unlike the single head in a typical cysticercus.
- Hydatid cyst: A different, often larger, type of larval cyst produced by tapeworms of the genus .
- Cysticercus (scientific synonym)
- Larval cyst (general descriptive term)
The term specifically refers to the larval form. It is not used for the adult tapeworm or for other types of parasitic cysts. The "bladder" part of the name refers to its fluid-filled, sac-like appearance.
-
encysted saclike larva of the tapeworm
