ASCARIS MARITIMA Meaning and
Definition
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Ascaris maritima is a parasitic roundworm species that belongs to the phylum Nematoda. Commonly known as the marine roundworm, it is primarily found in the marine environment, inhabiting the intestines of various marine mammals, particularly seals and sea lions.
The adult Ascaris maritima worm can reach lengths of up to 30 to 50 centimeters, with females typically being larger than males. It has a cylindrical body covered with a smooth, translucent cuticle. The anterior part of the worm is characterized by a rounded mouth opening, surrounded by three prominent lips, which it uses for feeding and attachment to the intestinal wall of its host.
Like other roundworms, the life cycle of Ascaris maritima involves sexual reproduction. One unique characteristic of this species is that it does not pass through a free-living stage in the soil or water, as is the case with many other roundworms. Instead, the eggs are directly shed into the marine environment through the feces of infected marine mammals.
Ingestion of these eggs by suitable host species, such as seals, is necessary for the development of the larvae. Once ingested, the eggs hatch within the host's stomach, and the larvae penetrate the intestinal wall, migrating to the liver and then to the lungs. After undergoing maturation in the pulmonary capillaries, they travel up the respiratory tract, are swallowed, and return to the intestines, where they develop into sexually mature adults, completing the life cycle.
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A species, only once recorded as present in a child.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ASCARIS MARITIMA
- zscaris maritima
- sscaris maritima
- wscaris maritima
- qscaris maritima
- aacaris maritima
- azcaris maritima
- axcaris maritima
- adcaris maritima
- aecaris maritima
- awcaris maritima
- asxaris maritima
- asvaris maritima
- asfaris maritima
- asdaris maritima
- asczris maritima
- ascsris maritima
- ascwris maritima
- ascqris maritima
- ascaeis maritima
- ascadis maritima
Etymology of ASCARIS MARITIMA
The word "Ascaris" originates from the Greek term "askaris" which means "intestinal worm". "Maritima" is from the Latin word "maritimus" which means "marine" or "belonging to the sea". Therefore, "Ascaris maritima" refers to a type of intestinal worm that is found in marine environments or associated with the sea.
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