Walsh & Hoyt: Trematodes (Flukes)

Trematodes also are called flukes. The typical shape of a trematode (with the exception of Schistosoma species) is that of a thick, oval leaf, although there are many variations in shape and size. The length of different species of trematodes varies from less than 1 mm to several centimeters. An oral sucker, usually located on the ventral surface, is a characteristic feature of the organism. The most important trematodes from a neuro-ophthalmologic standpoint are the lung fluke Paragonimus and the five human blood flukes in the genus Schistosoma.