Entozoology

/ˌɛntəzoʊˈɒlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The branch of biology that studies parasitic worms and other organisms living inside animal bodies.

Etymology

Greek 'entos' (within) + 'zoon' (animal) + '-logy' (study of). Coined in the early 1800s as microscopes revealed a hidden world of internal parasites that had plagued humanity since ancient times.

Kelly Says

Entozoology sounds like a niche science, but it's literally saved millions of lives—understanding which worms cause disease led to public health campaigns that eradicated parasites from entire countries.

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