Acanthocephalan
any parasitic worm of the phylum or class Acanthocephala, having a proboscis covered with recurved hooks.
belonging or pertaining to the Acanthocephala.
noun
any of the parasitic wormlike invertebrates of the phylum Acanthocephala, the adults of which have a spiny proboscis and live in the intestines of vertebrates
adjective
of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala
acanthocephalan
(ə-kān’thə-sěf’ə-lən)
Any of various, mostly small worms of the phylum Acanthocephala that live parasitically in arthropods as juveniles and in the intestines of vertebrates (especially fish) as adults. Acanthocephalans have a cylindrical, retractile proboscis that has rows of hooked spines and is used for attachment to a host. Also called spiny-headed worm.
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- Acanthocephaliasis
acanthocephaliasis acanthocephaliasis a·can·tho·ceph·a·li·a·sis (ə-kān’thə-sěf’ə-lī’ə-sĭs) n. Infection with a species of Acanthocephala.
- Acanthocheilonema
acanthocheilonema Acanthocheilonema A·can·tho·chei·lo·ne·ma (ə-kān’thə-kī’lə-nē’mə) n. A genus of filarial worms that are parasitic in humans, now part of the genus Dipetalonema. No longer in technical use.
- Acanthocyte
an abnormal red blood cell having spiny projections, found in the blood of persons with abetalipoproteinemia and certain malabsorption disorders. acanthocyte a·can·tho·cyte (ə-kān’thə-sīt’) n. A red blood cell characterized by multiple spiny cytoplasmic projections and found in acanthocytosis. Also called acanthrocyte.
- Acanthocytosis
a condition characterized by large numbers of in the blood. acanthocytosis a·can·tho·cy·to·sis (ə-kān’thə-sī-tō’sĭs) n. A rare condition in which the majority of the red blood cells are acanthocytes. Also called acanthrocytosis.
- Acanthodian
any small, spiny-finned, sharklike fish of the extinct order Acanthodii, from the Paleozoic Era. Historical Examples There is no evidence that the lateral row of spines in the acanthodian Climatius has any other than a defensive significance. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 3 Various