#acantocefal
- Acanthocephalan — An obligatory parasitic thorny-headed worm belonging to the phylum Acanthocephala, characterized by the complete absence of a digestive tract and the presence of an anterior, retractable proboscis armed with rows of rigid hooks or spines. This specialized organ is used exclusively for firm attachment to the intestinal wall of vertebrate hosts (fish, birds, mammals), with nutrient absorption occurring directly through the parasite's porous outer tegument.
- Acanthocephalosis — An endemic or sporadic parasitic disease affecting the digestive tract of animals (especially fish, waterfowl, and swine) and, accidentally, humans, caused by infestation with acanthocephalan worms. The clinical manifestation of the disease is characterized by severe chronic enteritis, local traumatic lesions, ulcerations, and, in severe cases of complete intestinal wall perforation, secondary bacterial peritonitis and profound anemia.