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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
[[Image:Taenia proglottid.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Taenia proglottid - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]
[[Image:Taenia proglottid.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Taenia proglottid - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]
[[Image:Cestoda.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Cestoda Groups - Courtesy of C. Hermosilla, Royal Veterinary College]]
This class differs from the Trematoda in that they have a tape-like body, with no alimentary canal. A cestode (tapeworm) is a chain (strobila) of progressively maturing, independent reproductive units (segments or proglottids) anchored at one end to the intestinal wall by a hold-fast organ (scolex). Each segment contains one set, or sometimes two sets, of male and female reproductive organs.
This class differs from the Trematoda in that they have a tape-like body, with no alimentary canal. A cestode (tapeworm) is a chain (strobila) of progressively maturing, independent reproductive units (segments or proglottids) anchored at one end to the intestinal wall by a hold-fast organ (scolex). Each segment contains one set, or sometimes two sets, of male and female reproductive organs.