What does schistosome mean?
A schistosome is a parasitic flatworm belonging to the genus Schistosoma, a group commonly called blood flukes. Schistosomes have a complex life cycle: freshwater snails serve as intermediate hosts, while humans and other vertebrates harbor the adult worms. The males and females are separate sexes, but they pair, with the female residing in a groove along the male's body. Some species are major causes of schistosomiasis, a disease associated with exposure to contaminated freshwater and capable of damaging the intestines, bladder, liver, or other organs. In ordinary English, schistosome is chiefly a technical biomedical term rather than a general word for any fluke. It appears in research and clinical discussion concerning parasite biology, transmission, diagnosis, and prevention. The name ultimately combines Greek words meaning “split” and “body,” reflecting the unusual form of these worms and providing a memorable example of how scientific vocabulary often preserves the descriptive language of classical scholarship.
nounAny parasitic flatworm of the genus Schistosoma, commonly called a blood fluke. Schistosomes have a complex life cycle involving freshwater snails as intermediate hosts and humans or other vertebrates as definitive hosts.
- A parasitic flatworm belonging to the genus Schistosoma, including the species responsible for schistosomiasis in humans.
"A schistosome can infect a person after its cercarial stage has passed through a freshwater snail."
"Researchers identified cercariae of the schistosome in water samples collected from the river."
"The clinic reported several cases of schistosome infection among children who had been swimming in the lake."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple individual worms or to members of the group in general.
"Several schistosomes were identified in the snail population."
Its name literally means “split body,” and its life cycle turns freshwater snails into the launchpads of a worm that can infect humans.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does schistosome come from?
The word was formed in English from the New Latin taxonomic name Schistosoma. That name combines Greek schistos, meaning “split,” with sōma, meaning “body,” literally “split body.” Modern English relatives include schistosomiasis, the disease caused by these parasites, and schistosomal, an adjective meaning “of or relating to schistosomes or schistosomiasis.”
Related word forms
How schistosome is actually used
This is primarily a technical biomedical term. It is normally used as a count noun, with “schistosome” also functioning attributively, and it is not a general synonym for every kind of fluke.
Easily confused with schistosome
A schistosome is the parasitic worm itself, whereas schistosomiasis is the disease caused by infection with such worms.