Hirudo medicalis
Also known as Medicinal leeches, H. medicinalis, Medicinal leech
medicinal leech
AI overview
Hirudo medicinalis is a species of leech that has been used in medical treatment for centuries and continues to be employed in modern medicine today. These leeches matter because they can improve blood circulation and tissue healing, making them particularly useful in reconstructive and plastic surgery to help restore damaged or reattached body parts.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
Near ThreatenedEuropean blood-sucking leech
Hirudo medicinalis
SPECIES
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumAnnelida
- ClassClitellata
- OrderArhynchobdellida
- FamilyHirudinidae
Habitatfreshwater
Observations334
Observations recorded3,131
via GBIF · IUCN