[Last Modified: ]
[Taenia saginata] [T. solium]

Proglottids of Taenia spp. Gravid proglottids are longer than wide and the two species, T. solium and T. saginata, differ in the number of primary lateral uterine branches: T. solium contains 7-13 lateral branches and T. saginata 12-30 lateral branches.

A	B

A, B:  Mature proglottids of T. saginata.  Injection of India ink into the genital pore in Figure B helps with the visualization of the primary lateral uterine branches. Note the number of branches (>12).

C	D

C, D:  Mature proglottids of T. solium.  Injection of India ink into the genital pore in Figure D helps with the visualization of the primary lateral uterine branches.  Note the number of branches (<13).

E	F

E, F:  Proglottids of T. saginata.  Figure E shows an unstained proglottid.  Figure F shows the same proglottid injected with India ink, demonstrating the number of uterine branches (>12).  Images courtesy of the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.