trichina

trichina
/tri kuy"neuh/, n., pl. trichinae /-nee/.
a nematode, Trichinella spiralis, the adults of which live in the intestine and produce larvae that encyst in the muscle tissue, esp. in pigs, rats, and humans.
[1825-35; < NL < Gk tríchina, n. use of fem. of tríchinos of hair. See TRICH-, -INE1]

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Species (Trichinella spiralis) of parasitic nematode, found worldwide, that causes the disease trichinosis.

Trichinae (or trichinas), 0.06–0.2 in. (1.5–4 mm) long, mate in the host's small intestine. Fertilized females penetrate the intestinal wall and release larvae, which the blood carries throughout the body. The larvae grow, mature, and become encysted within muscle tissue. The digestive juices of an animal that eats the muscle tissue break down the cyst, liberating the larvae for further development; the worms mature, and the cycle begins again.

Trichina encysted in muscle

Russ Kinne-Photo Researchers/EB Inc.

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worm
plural  trichinae, or trichinas 

      (species Trichinella spiralis), parasitic worm of the phylum Nematoda that causes trichinosis (q.v.), a serious disease in humans and other mammals—e.g., pigs, cats, dogs, bears, foxes, and rats. The worm, which occurs all over the world, ranges in length from 1.5 to 4 mm (0.06 to 0.2 inch).

      Mating takes place in the host's small intestine, after which the fertilized female trichinae burrow into the intestinal wall and release the larvae. The larvae, in turn, are transported by the bloodstream to all parts of the body. The worm grows within muscle tissue, requiring approximately 16 days to mature. A cyst develops around the larva's body. Further development occurs if the muscle tissue containing the encysted larva is eaten by an appropriate host; the worm matures and reproduces in the host's intestine.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • trichină — TRICHÍNĂ, trichine, s.f. Vierme parazit care trăieşte în intestinul şobolanilor, porcilor, urşilor etc. sau închistat în muşchii acestor animale, putând trece şi la om, prin consumarea cărnii de porc infestate (Trichinella spiralis). – Din fr.… …   Dicționar Român

  • Trichina — Tri*chi na ( n[.a]), n.; pl. {Trichin[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? hairy, made of hair, fr. tri x, tricho s, hair.] (Zo[ o]l.) A small, slender nematoid worm ({Trichina spiralis}) which, in the larval state, is parasitic, often in immense numbers, in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • trichina — trichinà sl. (2) DŽ, NdŽ; LL257, L741, Rtr, E, S.Mast, KŽ žr. trichinelė: Suradus nors vieną trichiną, visą skerdieną reikia utilizuoti arba sunaikinti rš …   Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language

  • Trichĭna — (T. spiralis), Haarwurm in den willkürlichen Muskeln des Menschen von R. Owen gefunden. Er gehört in die Familie der Fadenwürmer (Nematoidea), nur 1/3–1 Linie lang, spiralig zusammengerollt, fadenförmig, stumpf, am dickeren Ende mit der Spur… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • TRICHINA — oppid. Lucaniae …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • trichina — [tri kī′nə] n. pl. trichinae [tri kī′nē] [ModL < Gr trichinos, hairy < thrix (gen. trichos), hair] a very small nematode worm (Trichinella spiralis) that causes trichinosis trichinal adj …   English World dictionary

  • Trichina — Old name for a genus of nematode worms, correctly called Trichinella. * * * Trichina n syn of TRICHINELLA * * * Tri·chi·na (trĭ kiґnə) Trichinella …   Medical dictionary

  • trichina — A larval worm of the genus Trichinella; the infective form in pork. [Mod. L., fr. G. thrix (trich ), a hair] * * * Trichina n syn of TRICHINELLA * * * Tri·chi·na (trĭ kiґnə) Trichinella …   Medical dictionary

  • trichina — tri·chì·na s.f. TS zool.com. nome comunemente dato ai vermi del genere Trichinella, parassiti di molti mammiferi {{line}} {{/line}} DATA: 1861. ETIMO: dal lat. scient. Trichīna, der. del gr. tríkhinos peloso …   Dizionario italiano

  • trichina — tri•chi•na [[t]trɪˈkaɪ nə[/t]] n. pl. nae ( nē). mcr a nematode, Trichinella spiralis, parasitic esp. in humans, pigs, and rats • Etymology: 1825–35; < NL < Gk tríchina, n. use of fem. of tríchinos of hair. See tricho , ine I …   From formal English to slang

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