Rostellum (helminth)

It is a retractable, cone-like muscular structure that is located on the apical end of the scolex, and in most species is armed with hooks, the organs of attachment to the host's intestinal wall.

[2][3] A rostellum is a knob-like protrusion at the extreme anterior end of a tapeworm, as an extension of the tegument.

[5][6][7] Rostellum is innervated by a single bilateral pair of ganglia, which provide motor innervation of the anterior canal, and the circular muscles of the rostellar capsule; this connection controls the protrusion and retraction movements.

[8] The rostellum is an organ of attachment of tapeworms, in addition to the surrounding suckers, to the intestinal wall of the host.

This is particularly important during digestion of food and bowel movement of the host, so that the tapeworm is not expelled along with the faeces.