BRACHYCEPHALISM Meaning and
Definition
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Brachycephalism is a term utilized in the field of anthropology and physical anthropology to describe a specific cranial feature or characteristic. Specifically, it refers to the condition of having a relatively short and wide head shape, characterized by a decreased cranial length, accompanied by a greater cranial breadth. The term "brachycephalism" is derived from the Greek words "brachys," meaning short, and "kephalē," meaning head.
This cranial characteristic is typically measured using the cephalic index, which is calculated by dividing the maximum breadth of the skull by the maximum length of the skull and multiplying by 100. A cephalic index of above 80 is generally considered indicative of brachycephalism, with higher values representing greater cranial breadth relative to length.
Brachycephalism can be observed in certain populations and ethnic groups, as different populations may exhibit distinct cranial features due to genetic and environmental factors. It is particularly associated with groups such as Mongoloids and Asians, although it can also be found in other populations.
Although brachycephalism is primarily a descriptive term regarding cranial shape and proportions, it may be associated with certain pathologies or conditions. This includes potential correlations with certain genetic disorders, developmental abnormalities, or syndromes. As such, its identification may have relevance in fields like clinical genetics, paleoanthropology, and forensic anthropology, where the recognition of cranial traits and potential disease markers may aid in population studies, identification of remains, or medical diagnoses.
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Shortness of the head; see brachycephalic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BRACHYCEPHALISM
- vrachycephalism
- nrachycephalism
- hrachycephalism
- grachycephalism
- beachycephalism
- bdachycephalism
- bfachycephalism
- btachycephalism
- b5achycephalism
- b4achycephalism
- brzchycephalism
- brschycephalism
- brwchycephalism
- brqchycephalism
- braxhycephalism
- bravhycephalism
- brafhycephalism
- bradhycephalism
- bracgycephalism
Etymology of BRACHYCEPHALISM
The word "brachycephalism" is derived from two Greek words: "brachys" meaning "short" and "kephalē" meaning "head". "Brachycephalism" refers to the condition of having a relatively short and broad head shape. It is commonly used in anthropological and anatomical discussions to describe certain skull characteristics.
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