Which of the following is the largest intermediate form of a tapeworm?

Which of the following is the largest intermediate form of a tapeworm?

• A. Cysticercus
• B. Cysticercoid
• C. Coenurus
• D. Hydatid cyst

Answer: (D)

The larval stage that forms in tissues and can grow the largest is the hydatid cyst. It comes from Echinococcus species and develops into a big, fluid-filled sac that may contain thousands of protoscolices inside brood capsules. In comparison, cysticercus is a smaller bladder-like cyst with a single scolex, coenurus contains multiple scolices but is generally smaller, and cysticercoid is a much smaller larval form that occurs in invertebrate hosts. Because of its potential size and complex internal structure, the hydatid cyst is the largest intermediate form.

The larval stage that forms in tissues and can grow the largest is the hydatid cyst. It comes from Echinococcus species and develops into a big, fluid-filled sac that may contain thousands of protoscolices inside brood capsules. In comparison, cysticercus is a smaller bladder-like cyst with a single scolex, coenurus contains multiple scolices but is generally smaller, and cysticercoid is a much smaller larval form that occurs in invertebrate hosts. Because of its potential size and complex internal structure, the hydatid cyst is the largest intermediate form.