THE SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF SCOLICES IN A CASE OF HYDATID CYST FROM HUMAN LIVER

The scanning election microscopic (SEM) features of hydatid scolices f rom a case of hydatid disease of the liver are described. The scolex w hen fully everted has a double circle of hooklets which occupy a large area of the parasite. The hooklets are inserted into the rostellum wi th one row of hooklets overlapping the other. Each hooklet is about 20 to 40 um long, has a basic round structure sharp at the distal end an d broadens as it curves towards the point of insertion at the rostellu m, where 2 blunt projections correspond to the 2 annular bundles of mu scle fibres at the orifice of the scoter. The function of the hooklets is not fully understood but they are possibly used for anchorage and/ or for the purpose of propulsion in a fluid medium by the act of invag ination and evagination of the hooklets.