棘头动物门是动物界的一个门。是一类身体前端有吻，吻上有钩刺的假体腔动物。棘头动物属于寄生动物，吻上的钩刺用来抓住它的寄主的肠壁。它们具有复杂的生命周期，涉及到若干寄主，包括无脊椎动物、鱼类、两栖类、鸟类和哺乳类。大约只有700种。

棘头动物门分为3个目：

Acanthocephala (Greek ἄκανθος, akanthos, thorn + κεφαλή, kephale, head) is a phylum of parasitic worms known as acanthocephalans, thorny-headed worms, or spiny-headed worms, characterized by the presence of an eversible proboscis, armed with spines, which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host. Acanthocephalans have complex life cycles, involving at least two hosts, which may include invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, birds, and mammals. About 1150 species have been described.