ACROCEPHALY Meaning and
Definition
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Acrocephaly is a medical term used to describe a craniofacial disorder characterized by an abnormally shaped head, specifically one that appears to be pointed or cone-shaped. The term is derived from two Greek words, "acro," meaning peak or summit, and "cephaly," referring to the head. This condition is commonly seen in infants who are born with abnormal fusion or premature closure of the cranial sutures, which are the areas between the skull bones that allow for growth and expansion of the brain.
In acrocephaly, the early fusion of these cranial sutures prevents normal head growth, resulting in an elongated or pointed appearance. This abnormal head shape can cause various complications such as increased intracranial pressure, impaired brain development, and facial deformities. Furthermore, it may also lead to other associated abnormalities in the skull, face, and other parts of the body.
Acrocephaly is typically diagnosed by physical examination, medical history, and imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans. Treatment for acrocephaly usually involves surgical intervention, where the prematurely fused sutures are released, allowing the skull to grow more normally. This procedure is known as cranial vault remodeling or cranial reconstruction.
Early detection and timely treatment are crucial in managing acrocephaly to prevent complications and ensure optimal brain growth and development. Additionally, ongoing medical care and monitoring may be necessary to address any related abnormalities or potential long-term effects of the condition.
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Malformation of the head, consisting in a high or pointed cranial vault, due to premature closure of the sagittal, coronal, and lambdoid sutures.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ACROCEPHALY
- zcrocephaly
- scrocephaly
- wcrocephaly
- qcrocephaly
- axrocephaly
- avrocephaly
- afrocephaly
- adrocephaly
- aceocephaly
- acdocephaly
- acfocephaly
- actocephaly
- ac5ocephaly
- ac4ocephaly
- acricephaly
- acrkcephaly
- acrlcephaly
- acrpcephaly
- acr0cephaly
- acrocephalyy
Etymology of ACROCEPHALY
The word "acrocephaly" is derived from two Greek roots: "acro-" and "kephale".
The prefix "acro-" comes from the Greek word "akros", meaning "highest" or "topmost". It is commonly used to refer to something at the extremity or the highest point of a body or structure.
The word "kephale" means "head" in Greek. It is the root from which various terms related to the head are derived.
When combined, "acro-" and "kephale" form "acrocephaly", a medical term referring to a condition characterized by an abnormally shaped skull, where the head is narrow and elongated towards the top.
Similar spelling words for ACROCEPHALY
- acoraceae,
- acrocarp,
- agraceful,
- aggressively,
- aggresively,
- acaricide,
- acrocephalia,
- acaracide,
- acrocomia,
- acrocephalus,
- acrosome,
- aceraceae,
- non-aggressively,
- agressively.
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