Rostellum (helminth)

Taenia solium scolex with protruding rostellum

Rostellum /ˌrɑːˈstɛlʌm/ (meaning "small beak", from the Latin rostrum for "beak"; pl. rostella) in helminthology is a protruding part of the anterior end of tapeworms. It is a retractable, cone-like muscular structure that is located on the apical end of the scolex, and in most species is armed with hooks, the organs of attachment to the host's intestinal wall.[1] It is a parasitic adaptation in some cestodes for firm attachment in the gastrointestinal tract and is structurally different from one species to another (or even absent is some species), thereby becoming an important diagnostic feature.[2][3]

  1. ^ Castro GA (1996). "Helminths: Structure, Classification, Growth, and Development". In Baron S (ed.). Medical Microbiology (4 ed.). Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2. PMID 21413252.
  2. ^ Spasskii AA, Buga ML (2000). "Correlation between the structure of the rostellar apparatus and the shape of rostellar hooks in higher cestodes". Doklady Biological Sciences. 372: 290–292. PMID 10944726.
  3. ^ Vasileva GP, Vaucher C, Tkach VV, Genov T (2004). "Taxonomic revision of Hilmylepis Skryabin & Matevosyan, 1942 (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae)". Systematic Parasitology. 59 (1): 45–63. doi:10.1023/b:sypa.0000038446.29832.7d. PMID 15318020. S2CID 22472788.