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This is the name given to the head of the beef tapeworm. The scolex is made up of four suckers which helps it attach to the walls of the small intestine.

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T. saginata (beef tapeworm) and T. solium (pork tapeworm) is quite similar in structure except for pork tapeworm scolex contains a rostellum containing two rows of hooks while beef tapeworms only contain suckers.

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This is a photo of one of the many segments that make up the body of the tape worm. The red arrows are pointing at calcareous corpuscles, which are calcium covered larvae. The blue arrows are pointing at eggs.

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This is an image of T. saginata attached to the small intestine of a human. 

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This is an image of T. saginata attached to the small intestine of a human. 

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T. saginata is usually 4-12 meters long, but can get up to 25 meters. Each of the segments are equipped with both male and female reproductive organelles which make them hermaphrodites. They have the ability to reproduce by self fertilizing their own eggs. As the tapeworm matures, the segments move further down with the newer ones closer to the scolex and the more mature ones towards the end.

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Better view of the uterine branches and genital pore

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Infested beef meat with encysted larvae 

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Infested beef meat with encysted larvae 

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T. saginata is the scientific name for beef tapeworm. T. saginata is known to cause taeniasis, which is a parasitic infection caused by the intestinal tapeworm. Taeniasis can be acquired by ingesting raw or undercooked beef. Upon ingestion, the encysted larvae then will liberate itself from the cyst-like sac within the meat and mature in the gut of its definitive host. A definitive host could be humans or primates to the tapeworm. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing these parasitic infections. The beef tapeworm will then attach itself with its suckers to the intestine wall. It can take 8-14 weeks (about 3 months) for these larvae to mature. As the larvae mature, new segments or proglottid, will develop. Each one of these proglottid segments are equipped with both female and male reproductive organelles allowing them to self-fertilize. With the ability to self-fertilize, each proglottid can produce eggs of its own. These eggs and segments are then expelled out of the body through the anus and then stool. Some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for is abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, blockage of the intestine, digestive problems, or irritation of the perianal area. Taeniasis is common in Eastern Europe, Russia, Eastern Africa, Latin America, and countries that are underdeveloped. The prognosis for taeniasis is relatively successful with one-time doses of anthelminthics such as Praziquantel or Albendazole. The most effective way to prevent infection is to cook food thoroughly. Meaning cooking meat above 140 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than five minutes. Another method of prevention is to maintain proper hand hygiene after using the restroom. Drinking bottled water when in areas where water must be treated is another good precaution.