What does a tick's head look like if it remains? - briefly
A retained tick head appears as a tiny, dark, brownish disc about 1–2 mm across, with a smooth, rounded surface and the mouthparts protruding as a small, pointed projection. It is embedded in the skin and resembles a small, hard cap rather than a visible insect head.
What does a tick's head look like if it remains? - in detail
A tick’s anterior region, commonly called the capitulum, consists of a compact cluster of hardened structures. The frontmost element is the hypostome, a bar‑shaped, serrated organ that protrudes from the mouth opening. It measures 0.2–0.5 mm in length, appears dark brown to black, and is covered with fine backward‑pointing teeth that anchor the parasite to host tissue.
Flanking the hypostome are the palps, two elongated, rod‑like appendages about 0.3 mm long. Palps are lighter in color—pale brown or yellowish—and exhibit a smooth, slightly glossy surface. Their function is sensory, allowing the tick to detect temperature and movement.
Above the hypostome and palps sits the basis capituli, a shield‑shaped sclerite that forms the base of the head. This plate is oval, roughly 0.4 mm wide, and displays a dark, matte finish. The basis capituli bears the attachment points for the legs and the internal musculature that powers mouthpart movement.
Key visual characteristics:
- Shape: Compact, rounded shield (basis capituli) with a central bar (hypostome) and two lateral rods (palps).
- Size: Overall head region spans 0.8–1.2 mm across, varying by species and life stage.
- Color: Dark brown to black for the hypostome and basis capituli; palps often lighter.
- Texture: Sclerotized cuticle; hypostome teeth are sharp and backward‑oriented, palps smooth.
When a tick remains attached, the head appears as a tightly fused unit, with the hypostome embedded in the host’s skin and the palps visible on the surface, angled slightly forward. The entire structure is firmly anchored, resisting removal without specialized tools.