What type of host do adult Taenia solium worms reside in?

Adult Taenia solium worms reside in a definitive host. In parasitology, a definitive host is defined as the organism that houses the adult stage of a parasite. In the case of Taenia solium, which is a tapeworm, humans serve as the definitive host.

This is crucial because, within the definitive host, the adult tapeworm can reach maturity, reproduce, and produce eggs that are excreted into the environment through the host's feces. This facilitates the transmission of the parasite to other hosts, particularly intermediate hosts, such as pigs, where the larval stage develops. Understanding the role of the definitive host helps clarify the life cycle of Taenia solium and the dynamics of its transmission, which is important for control measures in public health.