Hirudo medicinalis
Hirudo medicinalis
Hirudo medicinalis (pronunciation: hi-ROO-do medi-SIN-a-lis), commonly known as the medicinal leech, is a species of leech used in medical therapy for bloodletting.
Etymology
The term "Hirudo medicinalis" is derived from the Latin words "hirudo", meaning "leech", and "medicinalis", meaning "medicinal". This reflects the historical use of this species in medical treatments.
Description
Hirudo medicinalis is a segmented worm, belonging to the phylum Annelida and the class Clitellata. It is characterized by a flattened body, a small anterior sucker containing the mouth, and a larger posterior sucker. The body is generally dark green or brown, with a lighter underside.
Medical Use
Historically, Hirudo medicinalis was widely used in bloodletting, a practice believed to balance the body's "humors". Today, it is used in modern medicine for its anticoagulant properties, particularly in microsurgery and plastic surgery to prevent blood clots and promote blood flow.
Related Terms
- Anticoagulant: A substance that prevents blood from clotting.
- Bloodletting: The withdrawal of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness.
- Microsurgery: A surgical discipline that combines magnification with advanced diploscopes, specialized precision tools, and various operating techniques.
- Plastic surgery: A surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hirudo medicinalis
- Wikipedia's article - Hirudo medicinalis
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