Image Library [Last Modified: ]
Enterobiasis
[Enterobius vermicularis]

Adult males of Enterobius vermicularis measure up to 2.5 mm long by 0.1-0.2 mm wide; adult females measure 8-13 mm long by 0.3-0.5 mm wide.  Adult males have a blunt posterior end with a single spicule; females possess a long pointed tail.  In both sexes, there are cephalic expansions.

E. vermicularis, adult male
A

A:  Adult male of E. vermicularis from a formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentrated stool smear.  The worm measured 1.4 mm in length.  Image contributed by the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Imported Infectious Diseases, Bergen, Norway.

male E. vermicularis, anterior end male E. vermicularis, posterior end
B C

B:  Close-up of the anterior end of the worm in Figure A.  The esophagus, divided into muscular and bulbous portions and separated by a short, narrow isthmus, is visible in the image, as are the cephalic expansions.
C:  Close-up of the posterior end of the worm in Figure A.  Note the blunt end.  The spicule is withdrawn into the worm in this specimen.

female E. vermicularis, anterior end female E. vermicularis, posterior end
D E

D:  Anterior end of an adult female of E. vermicularis, recovered from a colonscopy.  Image contributed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Laboratories.
E:  Posterior end of the worm in Figure D. Note the long, slender pointed tail.

 
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