Definition of Tunga penetrans

1. Noun. Small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the skin of the host including humans.

Exact synonyms: Chigger, Chigoe, Chigoe Flea
Generic synonyms: Flea
Group relationships: Genus Tunga, Tunga

Medical Definition of Tunga penetrans

1. A member of the flea family, Tungidae, commonly known as chigger flea, sand flea, chigoe, or jiggers. The minute female penetrates the skin, frequently under the toenails; as she becomes distended with eggs to about pea size, a painful ulcer with inflammation develops at the site. Synonym: Sarcopsylla penetrans. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tunga Penetrans

Tulle
Tullian
Tullio's phenomenon
Tully
Tulostoma
Tulostomaceae
Tulostomataceae
Tulostomatales
Tulsa
Tulu
Tumandar
Tumbuka
Tums
Tunga
Tunga penetrans (current term)
Tungabhadra
Tungidae
Tungoose
Tungooses
Tungus
Tunguses
Tungusic
Tungusic language
Tungusological
Tunguz
Tunis
Tunis cake
Tunis cakes
Tunisia

Literary usage of Tunga penetrans

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. In the Shade of an Acacia Tree: Memoirs of a Health Officer in Africa, 1945-1959 by Frank L. Lambrecht (1991)
"Poignant among Winnie's recollections of her stay in Mut- ara are the number of jiggers (Tunga penetrans) that found their way under her toenails and grew ..."

2. Applied Entomology; an Introductory Text-book of Insects in Their Relations by Henry Torsey Fernald (1921)
"... and which on man burrows into the skin causing considerable irritation. FIo. 354.—Chigoe (Tunga penetrans L.): a, an Unfertilized female; 6, ..."

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