PENTASTOMA TENIOIDES Meaning and
Definition
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Pentastoma tenioides is a parasitic worm belonging to the phylum Pentastomida. It is commonly referred to as the "tongue worm" due to its unique morphological feature resembling a tongue.
P. tenioides is typically found in the respiratory system of reptiles, especially snakes, making it an ectoparasite that infests the respiratory tract. It is characterized by its elongated body, which can range in size from a few centimeters to several inches, depending on the species it infects. This worm has a dorsoventrally flattened appearance, allowing it to attach firmly to the respiratory mucosa of its host.
The life cycle of P. tenioides involves multiple hosts. The adults release eggs within the respiratory tract of the infected reptile, which are expelled through its feces. Upon ingestion by an intermediate host, such as a rodent, the eggs hatch, releasing larvae that penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to various organs. The larval stage of P. tenioides is then transmitted to the definitive host when it ingests the infected intermediate host.
Infections by P. tenioides in reptiles are generally asymptomatic, but heavy infestations can lead to respiratory distress, impaired aerobic capacity, and even death. In humans, P. tenioides infections are extremely rare but may occur through accidental ingestion of contaminated meat from an infected intermediate host.
Effective control measures for P. tenioides infections include appropriate husbandry practices, regular veterinary monitoring, and deworming protocols in captive reptile populations. In cases of accidental human infection, prompt medical attention and treatment are required to prevent potential complications.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PENTASTOMA TENIOIDES
- oentastoma tenioides
- lentastoma tenioides
- -entastoma tenioides
- 0entastoma tenioides
- pwntastoma tenioides
- psntastoma tenioides
- pdntastoma tenioides
- prntastoma tenioides
- p4ntastoma tenioides
- p3ntastoma tenioides
- pebtastoma tenioides
- pemtastoma tenioides
- pejtastoma tenioides
- pehtastoma tenioides
- penrastoma tenioides
- penfastoma tenioides
- pengastoma tenioides
- penyastoma tenioides
- pen6astoma tenioides
- pen5astoma tenioides
Etymology of PENTASTOMA TENIOIDES
The word "Pentastoma tenioides" is a scientific name for a parasite also known as the "tongue worm". Let's break down the etymology of the word:
1. Pentastoma: The term "Pentastoma" originates from the Greek words "penta", meaning "five", and "stoma", meaning "mouth". This refers to the characteristic feature of this parasite, which has five anterior hooks resembling mouthparts.
2. Tenioides: The term "tenioides" comes from the Latin word "taenia", which means "tapeworm". It is combined with the suffix "-oides", derived from Greek, meaning "resembling" or "similar to". Therefore, "tenioides" describes the resemblance of the parasite to a tapeworm.
