SCHISTOSOMUM Meaning and
Definition
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Schistosomum is a genus of parasitic worms belonging to the class Trematoda, which are commonly known as blood flukes. They are flatworms that belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes.
These parasitic worms have a complex life cycle that involves two hosts, typically a snail and a mammal. The adult Schistosomum worms inhabit the blood vessels of their mammalian hosts, primarily humans, but also other animals. They have a distinct body shape with a tapering anterior end and a broader posterior end.
Schistosoma worms have separate male and female individuals. The males have a ventral gynecophore, a specialized structure that holds the female during copulation. After mating, the female worms produce eggs that are excreted in the host's feces or urine, depending on the specific species. The eggs must reach freshwater to hatch, where they infect freshwater snails. Inside the snail, the eggs develop into larvae called cercariae. The cercariae are released from the snail and actively penetrate the skin of the mammalian host, completing the life cycle.
Schistosoma infections, also known as schistosomiasis or bilharzia, are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. They are caused by various species of the Schistosoma genus, such as Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and Schistosoma japonicum. These infections can result in various health issues, including fever, abdominal pain, organ damage, and in severe cases, can lead to death.
Efforts to control and prevent Schistosoma infections typically involve public health measures such as improving sanitation and access to clean water, as well as treatment through
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A genus of Trematoda, comprising the blood-flukes, in which the sexes are distinct.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SCHISTOSOMUM
- schistosomma
- schistosomu
- achistosomum
- zchistosomum
- xchistosomum
- dchistosomum
- echistosomum
- wchistosomum
- sxhistosomum
- svhistosomum
- sfhistosomum
- sdhistosomum
- scgistosomum
- scbistosomum
- scnistosomum
- scjistosomum
- scuistosomum
- scyistosomum
- schustosomum
- schjstosomum
Etymology of SCHISTOSOMUM
The word "Schistosomum" is derived from the Greek word "skhistos" meaning "split" or "cleavage" and "soma" meaning "body". "Skhistos" refers to the splitting or cleft-like appearance of the schistosome worm, which has a distinct separation between its male and female reproductive organs. The term was coined by the German zoologist Theodor Bilharz in the mid-19th century when he first discovered and described the parasite.
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