Medical leeches have been widely used in medical applications and treatments for millennia. Studies on the salivary glands of blood-sucking leeches have focused on their bioactive secretions and mechanisms of action, with little attention to ultrastructure. In this study, we examined dissected embryonic and adult Hirudo verbana salivary glands by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gland cells of embryos were physically separated while adults displayed highly developed cell bunches in which each cell was connected to others by fine channels. Channels from each bunch combined to form a larger canal that opened to the jaw. Secreted material from these glands prevent blood from clotting and allow the adult to feed while sucking blood.

几千年来，医用水蛭已被广泛用于医疗应用和治疗。对吸血水蛭唾液腺的研究主要集中在其生物活性分泌物和作用机制上，很少关注超微结构。在这项研究中，我们通过扫描电子显微镜 (SEM)检查了解剖的胚胎和成年水蛭唾液腺。胚胎的腺细胞在物理上是分开的，而成人则显示出高度发达的细胞束，其中每个细胞通过细小通道与其他细胞相连。每一束的通道结合起来形成一个更大的运河，通向下巴。这些腺体分泌的物质可防止血液凝结，并允许成年人在吸血时进食。