Scolex: Tapeworm head

Unlike their cousins, the free-swimming, nonparasitic planaria, tapeworms are characterized by the complete absence of digestive tracts. The scolex at the anterior end of the cestode is a specialized body segment (or proglottid), which anchors the parasite to its host. Several different evolutionary strategies are adapted for this key anatomical feature in this class of flatworm. The scolex is usually covered with hooks or suckers and is used by helminth taxonomists as a key characteristic for identifying species of tapeworms. The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium has a scolex that features a double crown of 22 to 32 rostellar hooks and four simple, round suckers. The hooks fall into two size ranges (160 to 180 microns and 110 to 140 microns). As with other cestodes, the pork tapeworm fastens onto its host (primarily muscles for this species) and absorbs nutrients through its skin. This is the tapeworm that can infest humans if eaten in pork that has not been thoroughly cooked.