Parasitology

• Disease: Hymenolepiasis
• Habitat in human: Small intestine – particularly ileum
• Definitive host: Human, rodents
• Intermediate host: Optional; if present, intermediate hosts are arthropods such as fleas and beetles
• Diagnosis- Microscopic examination of faeces to detect eggs
• Commonest cestode of human

Morphological Features of Scolex

• Shape: Globular
• Size: 3 mm in diameter
• Four cup-shaped suckers
• Retractable rostellum, with a single row of 20-30 hooks; hooks are spanner shaped