Dr  Sampurna Roy  MD

Characteristic features of Nematodes or roundworms are as follows:

Shape:  Elongated, cylindrical and body is not segmented.

Sexes:  Sexes are separate.

Alimentary canal: Gut is complete. Anus is present

Head end: No sucker or hooks. Well developed buccal capsule in some.

Body cavity: Present

Classification of Nematodes according to habitat:

I  Intestinal-

  (a) Small Intestine only:

Ascaris lumbricoides

Ancylostoma duodenale

Necator americanus

Strongyloides stercoralis

Trichinella spiralis

  (b) Caecum and appendix:

Enterobius vermicularis (threadworm or pinworm)

Trichuris trichuria

II Somatic (inside the tissue and organs)-

   1. Lymphatic System:

Wucheria bancrofti

Brugia malayi

   2. Subcutaneous Tissue:

Loa Loa

Onchocerca volvulus

Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm)

   3. Lungs:

Strongyloides stercoralis

   4. Mesentery:

Mansonella ozzardi

   5. Conjunctiva:

Loa Loa

III Intestinal & somatic nematodes 

Trichinella spiralis

Other diseases caused by Nematodes:

Anisakiasis

Angiostrongyliasis 

Capillariasis

Cutaneous larva migrans

Visceral Larva Migrans

   Visit:  Cestodes(Tapeworms) ; Trematode (Flukes)