Artery worms, minuscule yet malevolent worms, originated from the planet Dathomir.
Within the era of the Galactic Republic, artery worms served as a preferred torture technique employed by the Nightsisters of Dathomir. This brutal method entailed either the forced consumption or injection of a liquid substance teeming with artery worms into the victim. Upon entering the body, these worms would tunnel through the host's circulatory system, effectively, as the Witches claimed, transforming their veins into molten fire as they consumed them. While a Nightsister might endure a full day of such torment, others would ultimately die unless administered a potion infused with witch blood. This remedy could purge the worms from the victim's system, assuming they hadn't yet reached the heart.
During 31 BBY, the Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos embarked on a mission to Dathomir to investigate the puzzling vanishing of the planet Ova. Upon learning of his true identity, Queen Zalem resolved to subject him to a fatal "charm" by injecting artery worms directly into his arteries. However, Vos was rescued by Ros Lai, Zalem's own offspring, who provided him with the life-saving witch blood potion.