How Do You Spell METORCHIS?

1. Metorchis is a genus of trematode parasites belonging to the family Opisthorchiidae. These parasites primarily infect vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Metorchis species are commonly found in the bile ducts and liver of their definitive hosts, where they establish their parasitic life cycle.

   Metorchis can be characterized by their elongated and dorsoventrally flattened body shape. They possess a ventral sucker, located towards the anterior end, which helps them attach to the host's tissues. These parasites exhibit a complex life cycle involving different hosts. The adult worms produce eggs within the bile ducts, which are then released into the host's feces. The eggs require an intermediate host, typically a freshwater snail, to mature and develop further. Inside the snail, the eggs hatch and release miracidia, which then penetrate the tissues of a second intermediate host, usually a fish. The miracidia develop into cercariae, which are the infectious stage for the definitive host.

   Once the infected fish is ingested by the definitive host, the cercariae penetrate the intestinal wall, migrate through the bloodstream, and ultimately reach the bile ducts and liver. There they develop into adults, completing the life cycle. Metorchis infections can cause various health issues in the definitive hosts, including liver damage, inflammation, and biliary obstruction. In humans, infection with Metorchis species can lead to a condition known as metorchiasis, characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and diarrhea.

2. A genus of flukes, one species of which, M. truncatus, occurring in cats and dogs, has occasionally been found in man.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for METORCHIS

The word "Metorchis" is a scientific genus name used for various parasitic flatworms. The etymology of the word can be traced back to its Greek origins.

The term "Metorchis" is derived from two Greek words. The first part, "meta" (μετά), means "after" or "beyond". The second part, "orchis" (ὄρχις), refers to "testicles" or "testes".

The combination of these two words refers to the location of the parasite. "Meta" suggests that the parasite is located somewhere after or beyond the testes. This likely denotes the habit of these parasites to infect the biliary ducts and liver of vertebrates, which are relatively close to the reproductive organs.

Overall, the etymology of "Metorchis" links to the anatomical position of these parasites within their hosts.