Conchology (from
konkhos, "cockle") is the study of
mollusc shells. Conchology is one aspect of
malacology, the study of molluscs; however, malacology is the study of molluscs as whole organisms, whereas conchology is confined to the study of their shells. It includes the study of land and freshwater mollusc shells as well as
seashells and extends to the study of a
gastropod's
operculum.