Description of Giardia

Diplomonad flagellates, with flattened ventral face occupied by the adhesive disk which attaches the parasite to the intestinal mucosa of its host; cell tapers posteriorly and giving rise to 2 caudal flagella; all flagella directed to the rear; feeds by pinocytosis occuring on the dorsal face; adheres on the brush border of the intestinal epithelial cells and the sucking force is generated by the beating of the ventral enlarged flagella; includes common and widespread parasites of man.