The order Conodonta refers to an extinct group of marine vertebrates that lived from the Late Cambrian to the end of the Triassic period. Conodonts had slender, elongated bodies covered with tooth-like elements, which were used for feeding. Synonyms for the order Conodonta include "conodonti," "conodontophora," and "conodonte." These terms are used interchangeably to describe this group of animals and are derived from the Greek words "konos" meaning "cone" and "odous" meaning "tooth." Despite their small size and short lifespan, conodonts played an important role in understanding the evolution of vertebrates and the ancient oceans they inhabited.