What is a Leech?

What is a Leech?

A leech is a segmented worm that is part of the phylum Annelida. They live in water and attach themselves to other creatures to drink their blood. Leeches are usually ectoparasitic and are part of the subclass Hirudinea. They have 32 brains, 125 teeth, and a highly developed mechanism to prevent blood clotting. Leeches are parasitic organisms that feed on the blood of fish, amphibians, and mammals. They can also be predators that catch and eat their prey. They have been used in therapy for centuries to treat a variety of diseases....

Biological Classification of Leech

Leech scientific name is Hirudinaria granulosa. The biological classification of the leech is given below:...

Habitat and Distribution

Leeches are found on all continents and seas, except terrestrial Antarctica. They can be found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine aquatic ecosystems, as well as moist terrestrial ecosystems. Leeches have different characteristics depending on their habitation. In all the places, they live on the other animals by the segmented parasitic system. They choose their host depending on the habitat. In different atmospheric areas, the leeches can be of different types....

Anatomy of the Leech

Structure of leech with labels is give at the top of the article. Leech show the following anatomy:...

Conclusion – Leech Diagram

Leeches have a body structure which is formed with a multiple rings. The diagram of leech helps us study its structure in detail. Leeches attach themselves to a host with a sucker and feeds on blood. it first secretes the peptide hirudin to prevent the blood from clotting. Leeches have been used in medicine from ancient times until the 19th century to draw blood from patients. In modern times, it is used in the treatment of joint diseases such as epicondylitis and osteoarthritis, vein diseases and in microsurgery, while hirudin is used as an anticoagulant drug to treat blood-clotting disorder....

FAQs on Leech Diagram

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