Macracanthorhynchus, also known as the giant thorny-headed worm of swine, is a member of the Oligacanthorhynchidae which contains four species.

Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus Macracanthorhynchus consists of a proboscis covered in hooks and a long trunk.

[6] Pre-acanthellae and acanthellae of M. catulinus were found infesting Tentyria tessulataAzerbeijan, and acanthellae were found in the paratenic hosts, Sheltopusik (Ophisaurus apodus), Coluber jugularis, Agama caucasica, Eumeces schneideri, Eremias pleskei, Lacerta strigata and the Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus).

[7] M. hirudinaceus is a parasite which lives in the intestines of pigs and other suids, and very occasionally in humans or dogs.

This stage involves penetrating the wall of the mesenteron or the intestine of the intermediate host and growing.