[Scanning electron microscopic representation of the tegument of the cysticercus of Taenia saginata].

By scanning electron microscopy we found heteromorph microtriches in the tegumental surface of the praeadult and its bladder. But this polymorphism is caused by three unimorph parts, namely the head region, the midbody and the bladder. The types of microtriches are heterogeneous in regard to the shape (from conical to cylindrical), the size (from 0.37 to 4.5 micron in length and 0.055 to 0.092 micron in diameter) and the density (from 6.3 to 25 microtriches/micron 2). An attempt was made to determine the relative increase in the tegumental surface of the cysticercus of T. saginata. The relation of actual surface area to a corresponding area without microtriches is OF = nA + 1/1 - nB. In this study, the factor of the increase in the tegumental surface (OF) ranged from the head region (6.3x) to the midbody (1.4x -1.7x) and the bladder (21x). By transmission electron microscopy fine threads were demonstrated in the apical surface of the microtriches. These fine threads raised the adhesive function of the microtriches in the course of the infection of the final host as well as in the migration in the digestive tract. A relation between shape, size and density of the microtriches and the body volume is postulated.