MONOSTOMUM Meaning and
Definition
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Monostomum is a genus of parasitic flatworms belonging to the class Trematoda and the family Monostomidae. These worms are part of the wider group of flukes, which are characterized by their leaf-shaped bodies and complex life cycles. Monostomum species are usually small in size, measuring around 1-3 millimeters in length.
Monostomum is characterized by a single oral sucker, which gives the genus its name. This structure is located at the anterior end of the worm and is used to attach to the host organism. These flukes are primarily found as parasites in the digestive systems of various vertebrates, including fish, birds, and mammals. They are known to cause various health issues, such as intestinal inflammation and nutrient absorption problems, in their hosts.
The life cycle of Monostomum typically involves multiple hosts. The eggs are released into the external environment through the host's feces, and once they reach suitable habitats like freshwater, they hatch into miracidia larvae. These larvae infect intermediate hosts, such as snails or insects, where they undergo further development and transform into cercariae. The cercariae then leave the intermediate host and actively seek out the final definitive host, where they can infect and establish themselves as adult worms.
Overall, Monostomum is an important genus of parasitic flatworms, responsible for causing infections in various animal species. The study of monostomiasis, the infection caused by Monostomum spp., is of significance in parasitology and veterinary medicine.
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A genus of flukes, or trematode worms.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MONOSTOMUM
- nonostomum
- konostomum
- jonostomum
- minostomum
- mknostomum
- mlnostomum
- mpnostomum
- m0nostomum
- m9nostomum
- mobostomum
- momostomum
- mojostomum
- mohostomum
- monistomum
- monkstomum
- monlstomum
- monpstomum
- mon0stomum
- mon9stomum
- monoatomum
Etymology of MONOSTOMUM
The word "Monostomum" has a Greek origin. It is derived from two Greek words: "mono" meaning "single" and "stoma" meaning "mouth". Hence, the word "Monostomum" refers to an organism or parasite with a single opening or mouth. This term is commonly used in zoology to describe certain species of flatworms.
