The word "Coenurus cerebralis" is a scientific term used to describe a tapeworm larva that infects the brain of sheep and other ruminants. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first two syllables "co-" and "-nurus" are pronounced as "koh-EE-nuh-rus". The final syllable "-cerebralis" is pronounced as "suh-REE-bruh-lis". Overall, the spelling of this term emphasizes the Latin roots of the words and reflects the precise nature of scientific language.
Coenurus cerebralis is a parasitic tapeworm larvae that specifically infects the central nervous system of sheep and other herbivores. It belongs to the Taeniidae family and is the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps.
The term "coenurus" refers to a fluid-filled cyst-like structure formed by the metacestode stage of this parasite. The coenurus cerebralis cyst is typically found in the brain and occasionally in the spinal cord, causing a condition known as coenurosis. This condition is considered a serious neurological disease in sheep, leading to various neurological symptoms and impairments.
Coenurus cerebralis infections are commonly acquired when sheep ingest the eggs of the tapeworm, usually through contaminated food or water sources. Once inside the sheep's gastrointestinal tract, the larvae hatch and penetrate the intestinal wall, entering the bloodstream. From there, they migrate to various organs, with the central nervous system being the primary target.
The presence of coenurus cerebralis can lead to severe inflammation, tissue damage, and pressure effects in the affected areas of the brain. As a result, affected animals may display symptoms such as circling, difficulty walking, head pressing, seizures, blindness, and even death.
Prevention and control measures for coenurus cerebralis focus on good hygiene practices, including proper disposal of infected carcasses, regular deworming programs, and maintaining a clean environment to minimize environmental contamination. In some cases, surgical removal of the cysts may be required to alleviate pressure and relieve neurological symptoms in infected animals.
Coenure, the larva of Toenia coenurus; it produces staggers when in the brain of the sheep, and leaping-ill when in the spinal cord.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Coenurus cerebralis" has its etymology rooted in Greek and Latin.
The term "Coenurus" originates from the Greek word "koinos" meaning "common" or "general", and "oura" meaning "tail". In medical terminology, "Coenurus" refers to a larval stage of tapeworm that commonly infests the central nervous system of animals.
The word "cerebralis" comes from the Latin word "cerebrum", which means "brain". It is commonly used in scientific nomenclature to indicate a connection or relation to the brain.
Therefore, "Coenurus cerebralis" combines the Greek word for "common tail" with the Latin word for "brain", referring to a parasitic larval stage of a tapeworm that localizes in the brain.