Hypostome (tick)

The hypostome (also called the maxilla, radula, or labium) is a calcified harpoon-like structure near the mouth area of certain parasitic arthropods including ticks, that allows them to anchor themselves firmly in place on a host mammal while sucking blood.

This article is about tick mouthparts. For structures in other animals, see Hypostome.
Barbed hypostome (center) of Ixodes holocyclus flanked by paired palps.

Some ticks of the Ixodidae family (hard ticks) secret a cement to strengthen the attachment. [1]

See also

References
  1. Pitches, D. W. (17 August 2006). "Removal of ticks: a review of the literature". Weekly Releases (1997–2007). 11 (33): 3027. doi:10.2807/esw.11.33.03027-en. ISSN 9999-1233. PMID 16966784.


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