Enterobius vermicularis
Enterobius vermicularis, adult female
The adult female Enterobius vermicularis is 8 to 13 millimeters long and has a slender pointed tail (from which the name "pinworm" comes). Both male and female worms have lateral alae that are most noticeable in the cephalic region. They also have a prominent bulbous esophagus. When seen in tape preparations, the female is generally gravid, containing numerous eggs.
Enterobius vermicularis, eggs, embryonated and hatching
These photos show the characteristic eggs of Enterobius vermicularis, commonly known as pinworm. They measure 50 to 60 micrometers in length, by 20 to 30 micrometers in width. Pinworm eggs are usually partially embryonated when laid, and become fully embryonated and infective within 4 to 6 hours. Note that you can see a developing larvae within each egg in these images, indicating that the eggs are now infective. Photos courtesy of Dr. Kara Levinson and Dr. Peter Gilligan. Shown here also are images of a hatching egg taken by Emily F. and Felicity in my lab. Fun!
Enterobius vermicularis, eggs, unembryonated
These photos show the characteristic eggs of Enterobius vermicularis, commonly known as pinworm. They measure 50 to 60 micrometers in length, by 20 to 30 micrometers in width. Pinworm eggs are unembryonated or partially embryonated when laid, and become fully embryonated and infective within 4 to 6 hours. These eggs are unembryonated/partially embryonated.
