Question

Hexacanth reaches
A. Voluntary muscles
B. Involuntary muscles
C. Cardiac muscles
D. None of the above

Answer 1

In pork tapeworm the larva stage is called hexacanth. It is an endoparasite that is found in the human intestine. Hexacanth is also called oncosphere.

Complete Answer:
- Tapeworm present in garbage enters the pig. It feeds on human excreta that contains oncospheres. Later they will be released in the intestine of pigs.
- Hexacanth larva is released by the dissolution of shell. The bile salts activate the hexacanth larva. Further the larvae moves to the liver through the hepatic portal vein.
- Through the postcaval vein, the larvae goes to the heart from the liver. And then it goes to the voluntary muscles from the heart of the pig. Usually, hexacanth larva retains in the voluntary muscles of elbows, tongue, limbs and neck.
- Sometimes, organs like eyes, lungs, brain, kidneys may have hexacanth. When hexacanth enters the voluntary muscles of the pig, it loses its hooks. Later it is developed into cysticercus larva.

Therefore the correct answer is (a) Voluntary muscles.

Note: Sometimes, the hexacanth larva enters the organs such as the brain, eyes etc which are made of involuntary muscles. Hexacanth goes through the cardiac muscles of the heart but it settles in the voluntary muscles.