Acanthocephala

/əˌkænθoʊˈsɛfələ/ noun

A phylum of parasitic worms known for their spiny, hook-covered head that they use to attach inside host animals' intestines.

From Greek 'akantha' (thorn/spine) + 'kephale' (head). The name literally means 'spiny-headed' and perfectly describes their most distinctive feature.

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