ECHINORHYNCHUS Meaning and
Definition
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Echinorhynchus is a noun that refers to a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the phylum Acanthocephala. These worms are commonly known as spiny-headed worms or thorny-headed worms due to the unique structure present on their proboscis. The name "Echinorhynchus" is derived from the Greek words "echinos" meaning "spiny" and "rhynchos" meaning "snout."
Members of the Echinorhynchus genus are typically small in size, measuring only a few centimeters in length, but can vary depending on the species. These worms exhibit an endoparasitic lifestyle, primarily infecting the intestinal tracts of a wide range of vertebrates, including fish, birds, and mammals.
Echinorhynchus worms possess a specialized proboscis with numerous hook-like spines that enable them to attach to the intestinal lining of their hosts. They use this structure to feed on the host's blood and nutrients, causing various degrees of damage and potential health issues.
Many species of Echinorhynchus are known to have complex life cycles, requiring intermediate hosts such as crustaceans or insects for their development and transmission. Additionally, these worms reproduce sexually, with the female producing large quantities of eggs that are then passed through the host's feces.
Overall, Echinorhynchus worms are considered to be potentially harmful parasites that can negatively impact the health and well-being of their hosts. Veterinary attention and proper sanitation practices are crucial in preventing and managing infections caused by these spiny-headed worms.
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A genus of worms parasitic in the intestines in vertebrates; the sexual form is found in vertebrates, the nonsexual in a non-vertebrate host; some of the species, especially E. gigas, are occasionally found in man.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ECHINORHYNCHUS
- wchinorhynchus
- schinorhynchus
- dchinorhynchus
- rchinorhynchus
- 4chinorhynchus
- 3chinorhynchus
- exhinorhynchus
- evhinorhynchus
- efhinorhynchus
- edhinorhynchus
- ecginorhynchus
- ecbinorhynchus
- ecninorhynchus
- ecjinorhynchus
- ecuinorhynchus
- ecyinorhynchus
- echunorhynchus
- echjnorhynchus
- echknorhynchus
- echonorhynchus
Etymology of ECHINORHYNCHUS
The word "Echinorhynchus" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from two Greek words: "echinos" (ἐχῖνος), which means "hedgehog" or "sea urchin", and "rhynchos" (ῥύγχος), which means "snout" or "beak".
The term was coined by the German naturalist Rudolph Leuckart in the 19th century to describe a genus of parasitic worms known as Acanthocephalans. These worms have a cylindrical body with a retractable proboscis armed with tiny hooks, resembling the snout of a hedgehog or a sea urchin. Hence, the name "Echinorhynchus" was given to these worms due to their snout-like structure.
