trichinella spiralis
Học thuậtThân thiện
A scientist examines a slide showing trichinella spiralis under a microscope.
Definition
Noun: * A parasitic roundworm (nematode) that infects the intestines of mammals, including pigs, rats, and humans. The adult worms produce larvae that migrate through the body and form dormant, calcified cysts within the skeletal muscles of the host.
Usage
- The term is used specifically in the fields of parasitology, medicine, veterinary science, and food safety to refer to the causative agent of the disease trichinellosis (trichinosis).
- It is a scientific, taxonomic name and is typically used in formal or technical contexts.
Examples
- Scientific Context: "The life cycle of involves both intestinal and muscular stages."
- Medical/Veterinary Context: "Undercooked pork is a common source of infection in humans."
- Public Health Context: "Routine inspection of pork for cysts is an important food safety measure."
Advanced Usage
- The organism's full scientific name is often italicized, as is standard for genus and species names in biology (e.g., ).
- In medical literature, it is frequently referred to simply as "" when the species is understood from context, though is the most common species causing human disease.
Variants and Related Words
- Trichinella (n): The genus name for this group of parasitic worms. is one species within this genus.
- Trichinellosis (n): The disease caused by infection with worms, also commonly known as trichinosis. Symptoms include gastrointestinal distress, fever, muscle pain, and swelling.
- Trichina (n): An older, now less common term for the larval stage of .
Synonyms
- Parasitic nematode: A general descriptive term.
- Trichina worm: A common, non-scientific synonym.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Muscle biopsy: A diagnostic procedure sometimes used to detect cysts in muscle tissue.
- Encysted larvae: Refers to the dormant larval stage of within muscle cysts.
- Zoonotic parasite: Describes as an infectious agent that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
A scientist examines a slide showing trichinella spiralis under a microscope.
Noun
- parasitic nematode occurring in the intestines of pigs and rats and human beings and producing larvae that form cysts in skeletal muscles