Hirudo orientalis

annelid

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July 22, 2026

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Hirudo orientalis is a species of medicinal leech, belonging to the phylum Annelida (segmented worms). Leeches, including H. orientalis, were historically used to treat diseases and are currently a source of anticoagulants for post-surgical procedures. Annelids are characterized by segmented bodies, a closed circulatory system, and a nervous system with a dorsal brain and ventral nerve cord. The class Hirudinea, which includes leeches, has a fixed number of 34 body segments and typically possesses anterior and posterior suckers.12

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medicinal leech
verbana, and H. orientalis, once used in the treatment of human diseases and used at present as a source of anticoagulants following certain surgical procedures. See leeching.
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verbana, and H. orientalis, once used in the treatment of human diseases and used at present as a source of anticoagulants following certain surgical procedures. See leeching.
Read More