Scolex
/ˈskoʊ.lɛks/noun
The head or attachment organ of a tapeworm and certain other parasitic flatworms.
Did you know?In Greek zoological language, *skṓlēx* meant a worm or grub; modern parasitology preserved the word for the tapeworm’s specialized anchoring end, often armed with hooks and suckers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skolek-
“A worm or creeping creature; the reconstructed ancestral source of the Greek term.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκώληξ (skṓlēx)
“Worm, grub, or larva.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκώληκος (skṓlēkos)
“Genitive form meaning “of a worm,” later supplying the scientific stem scolec-.”
17th Century
New Latin
scolex
“A worm-like animal or the head region of a tapeworm.”
19th Century
Scientific English
scolex
“The anterior attachment organ of a tapeworm, equipped with structures such as suckers or hooks.”
Modern English
English
scolex
“The head or attachment organ of a parasitic flatworm.”
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