<unk> s or helminths are a division of eukaroytic parasites that, unlike external parasites such as lice and fleas, live inside their host. They are<unk> -like organisms that live and feed off living hosts, receiving nourishment and protection while disrupting their hosts' nutrient absorption, causing weakness and disease. Those that live inside the digestive tract are called intestinal parasites. They can live inside humans as well as other animals.
Helminthology is the study of<unk> s and their effect on their hosts.<unk> s are categorized into three groups: cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes.
These are the principal morphologic differences of the different families of helminths.
Diseases caused in humans by helminth infection include ascariasis, dracunculiasis, elephantiasis, hookworm, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and trichuriasis.
Hookworms attached to the intestinal mucosa
The scolex, or head, of Taenia solium
Two pinworms, captured on emergence from the anus
Hookworms attached to the intestinal mucosa
The scolex, or head, of Taenia solium
Two pinworms, captured on emergence from the anus
(Images courtesy of Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Wani)
Enterotomy for<unk>  removal
Ascaris lumbricoides caused gangrene of ileum (shown<unk> s removed from a child)
Enterotomy for<unk>  removal
Ascaris lumbricoides caused gangrene of ileum (shown<unk> s removed from a child)
Parasitic worm
Aerobic organism
RNA virus
Microorganism
Biological pigment
Cancer bacteria
Helper dependent virus
Genetically modified organism