The name cestode (see also  Chapters 86 and  87 is derived from ‘kestos’ (Greek meaning ‘a girdle'). The anterior attachment organ is known as the scolex, and the ‘tape’ is known as the strobila, which is usually divided into segments, or proglottids. The worms can live for several years and absorb nutriment through the tegument. They are hermaphroditic, normally with both male and female gonads in each segment. Male organs often develop before the female. Human cestodes occur in two orders.

	1.	Pseudophyllidea with slit-like bothria, oval scolex (two long grooves with muscular walls), no hooks and the genital pore on the flat surface.
	2.	Cyclophyllidea, cup-like or round suckers on the scolex; genital pore marginal.