Acanthocephala; thorny-headed worms
Scientific taxonomic term for a phylum of parasitic worms. Used in biology and zoology contexts.
Acanthocephala parasitize the intestines of fish and birds.
From 鉤頭 (こうとう, 'hook head') + 動物 (どうぶつ, 'animal') + 門 (もん, 'phylum'), referring to the spiny proboscis characteristic of this group.