metacercaria: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “metacercaria” mean?
The encysted or resting larval stage of a parasitic trematode (fluke), which follows the cercaria stage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The encysted or resting larval stage of a parasitic trematode (fluke), which follows the cercaria stage.
A developmental stage in the life cycle of many parasitic flatworms (e.g., liver flukes), where the larval form becomes encysted, often on vegetation or within a second intermediate host, awaiting ingestion by the definitive host.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The term is equally specialised in both variants.
Connotations
Highly technical, no emotive connotations. Solely denotes a scientific/parasitological concept.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside parasitology, veterinary, or medical texts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “metacercaria” in a Sentence
The [parasite name] metacercaria encysts in [host/tissue].Ingestion of [the] metacercaria leads to infection.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metacercaria” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The metacercarial burden in the tissue was high.
- Metacercarial cysts were visible under the microscope.
American English
- The metacercarial burden in the tissue was high.
- Metacercarial cysts were visible under the microscope.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in parasitology, zoology, veterinary medicine, and public health research.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary context. Refers to a precise stage in trematode life cycles, crucial for understanding infection pathways.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metacercaria”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metacercaria”
- Misspelling: 'metacerceria' or 'metacercara'.
- Using it as a general term for any parasite cyst.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'metacercarias' instead of 'metacercariae'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the encysted, resting larval stage of a parasitic trematode (fluke), following the free-swimming cercaria stage and preceding the adult stage in the definitive host.
In British English: /ˌmɛtəsəːˈkɛːrɪə/. In American English: /ˌmɛdəsərˈkɛriə/. The stress is on the 'car' or 'kɛr' syllable.
Yes, if humans ingest the metacercaria (e.g., by eating raw contaminated plants or undercooked fish/crustaceans containing them), they can become infected by the adult parasite.
The correct plural is 'metacercariae', following the Latin/Greek-derived pluralisation for words ending in '-ia' in scientific terminology.
The encysted or resting larval stage of a parasitic trematode (fluke), which follows the cercaria stage.
Metacercaria is usually technical / scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: META (change/after) + CERCARIA (the previous swimming larval stage). It's the stage AFTER the cercaria, where it settles and transforms into an encysted form.
Conceptual Metaphor
A dormant time bomb / a waiting pod: A biological structure in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the right trigger (ingestion by host) to become active and dangerous.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'metacercaria' exclusively used?