A tapeworm is a type of parasitic flatworm that lives in the digestive system of its host, usually an animal. It gets its name from its elongated body, which resembles a strip of tape when fully grown. Tapeworms are typically segmented and can grow to be several meters long. They feed on food particles that their host ingests, absorbing nutrients through their body surface. Humans can become infected with tapeworms by consuming undercooked meat containing the larvae or by accidentally ingesting them while handling raw meat.