Bothria (from Greek ''bothrion'' = small pit, diminutive of ''

bothros Bothros (Greek βόθρος, plural ''bothroi'') is the Ancient Greek word for "hole", "pit" or "trench". In contemporary use it can refer to a variety of holes or depressions found at ancient sites and referred to in literature, and has also been u ...

'' = pit, trench) are elongate, dorsal or ventral longitudinal grooves on the

scolex Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known as tapeworms. Their bodies consist of m ...

cestoda Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known as tapeworms. Their bodies consist of ...

. They have weak muscles but are capable of some sucking action. Bothria occur as a single or two pair and are typical of the order

Pseudophyllidea Pseudophyllid cestodes (former order pseudophyllidea) are tapeworms with multiple "segments" (proglottids) and two bothria or "sucking grooves" as adults. Proglottids are identifiably pseudophyllid as the genital pore and uterine pore are locate ...

(e.g., Diphyllobothrium).Jones MK, Beveridge I, Campbell RA, Palm HW. Terminology of the sucker-like organs of the scolex of trypanorhynch cestodes. Systematic Parasitology 59: 121–126, 2004.
Bothria are muscular grooves that provide attachment by pinching host tissue between them.

References

Cestoda Platyhelminth anatomy {{Cestoda-stub