any parasitic flatworm of the class Cestoda, which includes the tapeworms
Word Origin
C19: from New Latin Cestoidea ribbon-shaped creatures, from Latin cestus belt, girdle; see cestus1
cestode in Medicine
cestode ces·tode (sěs'tōd') or ces·toid (-toid') n. Any of various parasitic flatworms of the class Cestoidea, including the tapeworms, having a long, flat body equipped with a specialized organ of attachment at one end.
ces'tode or ces'toid'adj.
cestode in Science
cestode
(sěs'tōd') Any of various parasitic flatworms of the class Cestoda, having a long flat body that usually has a specialized organ of attachment at one end (the scolex). Cestodes may consist of a single segment or be divided into numerous identical rectangular segments. Food is absorbed through the outer covering of the body. Cestodes inhabit the liver and digestive tract of many vertebrate animals and also affect some invertebrates. They can attain a length of over 15 m (49 ft). Also called tapeworm.