A cysticercoid is the

larval stage A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

of certain

tapeworm Eucestoda, commonly referred to as tapeworms, is the larger of the two subclasses of flatworms in the class Cestoda (the other subclass is Cestodaria). Larvae have six posterior hooks on the scolex (head), in contrast to the ten-hooked Cestod ...

s, similar in appearance to a

cysticercus Cysticercus (pl. cysticerci) is a scientific name given to the young tapeworms (larvae) belonging to the genus '' Taenia''. It is a small, sac-like vesicle resembling a bladder; hence, it is also known as bladder worm. It is filled with fluid, in ...

, but having the

scolex Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known as tapeworms. Their bodies consist of m ...

filling completely the enclosing cyst. In tapeworm infections, cysticercoids can be seen in free form as well as enclosed by cysts in

biological tissue In biology, tissue is a biological organizational level between cells and a complete organ. A tissue is an ensemble of similar cells and their extracellular matrix from the same origin that together carry out a specific function. Organs are ...

s such as the

intestinal mucosa The gastrointestinal wall of the gastrointestinal tract is made up of four layers of specialised tissue. From the inner cavity of the gut (the lumen) outwards, these are: # Mucosa # Submucosa # Muscular layer # Serosa or adventitia The mucos ...

. Also referred to as metacestodes, they produce proteins enabling them to invade and to survive in the host. *

Cysticercosis Cysticercosis is a tissue infection caused by the young form of the pork tapeworm. People may have few or no symptoms for years. In some cases, particularly in Asia, solid lumps of between one and two centimetres may develop under the skin. Aft ...

Hymenolepiasis Hymenolepiasis is infestation by one of two species of tapeworm: '' Hymenolepis nana'' or '' H. diminuta''. Alternative names are dwarf tapeworm infection and rat tapeworm infection. The disease is a type of helminthiasis which is classified as a ...

References

Cestoda Larvae {{parasitic animal-stub