Pronunciation: [sˈɛstə͡ʊd] (IPA) 
The term cestode refers to a type of parasitic worm found in the class Cestoda. The word derives from the Greek kēstos, meaning "girdle," and oda, meaning "like". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈsɛstoʊd/. The "ce-" at the beginning is pronounced as /s/ followed by the vowel sound /ɛ/, while the "-tode" ending is pronounced with a long "o" sound, /oʊ/, followed by the sound /d/ at the end.
A cestode refers to a type of parasitic flatworm belonging to the class Cestoda. Also known as tapeworms, cestodes are characterized by their long, ribbon-like bodies consisting of multiple segments known as proglottids. These parasitic organisms typically reside in the intestines of vertebrate hosts, including humans and various animals.
Cestodes are hermaphroditic, meaning they possess both male and female reproductive organs within their proglottids. Their life cycle often involves intermediate hosts, such as crustaceans or small mammals, which ingest the eggs or larvae of the tapeworm. Once inside the intermediate host, the larvae develop and encyst into a dormant stage.
When the intermediate host is consumed by a suitable definitive host, such as a human, the tapeworm larvae are released from their cysts and attach themselves to the intestinal wall. There, they mature into adult tapeworms, which are capable of producing thousands of eggs. These eggs are then expelled with the host's feces, completing the life cycle.
Cestode infections, known as cestodiasis or taeniasis, can occur when humans or animals consume tapeworm-infected raw or undercooked meat or contaminated water. Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, weight loss, and vitamin deficiencies. Diagnosis often involves the identification of tapeworm segments or eggs in fecal samples.
Prevention and treatment of cestode infections typically revolve around proper hygiene practices, cooking meat thoroughly, and administering antiparasitic medications. Cestodes pose a significant health threat in many parts of the world and can cause considerable morbidity if left untreated.
The word "cestode" originates from Greek roots. It is derived from the Greek word "keston", which means "band" or "girdle", and the Greek suffix "-odes", which means "having the form of" or "resembling". Thus, "cestode" literally means "having the form of a band or girdle". This term is used to describe a class of parasitic worm-like organisms, also known as tapeworms, that have flat and ribbon-like bodies with segments resembling bands or girdles.
