How Do You Spell CEPHALOCENTESIS?

Pronunciation: [sˌɛfɐlˌə͡ʊsəntˈiːsɪs] (IPA)

The word "cephalocentesis" is often misspelled due to its complex combination of consonants and vowels. The correct pronunciation, as indicated by the IPA phonetic transcription, is /sɛfəloʊsɛnˈtɛsɪs/. The word refers to a medical procedure that involves the puncture of the skull for the purpose of draining fluid or relieving pressure. While challenging to spell and pronounce, the word's roots in Latin and Greek highlight the significance of understanding medical terminology and its origins.

CEPHALOCENTESIS Meaning and Definition

1. Cephalocentesis is a medical procedure that involves the puncture or aspiration of fluid from the head, specifically the cranium. This diagnostic procedure is typically performed to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain for diagnostic purposes or to relieve pressure within the cranial cavity. The term "cephalocentesis" can be broken down into two components: "cephalo-" which refers to the head or cranium, and "-centesis" which means puncture.

   The procedure involves the insertion of a needle or catheter through the scalp, skull, and meninges (the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord) to access the CSF-filled space in the ventricles or subarachnoid space. The fluid obtained is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, which can aid in diagnosing various conditions affecting the central nervous system, including infections, bleeding, tumors, or inflammatory disorders.

   Cephalocentesis is typically carried out under sterile conditions and with the use of imaging techniques such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan to guide the needle placement. It may be performed by a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or radiologist, depending on the specific circumstances and expertise required.

   While cephalocentesis is generally considered a safe procedure, it does carry some risks, including infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding structures, or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before recommending or performing cephalocentesis.

2. Passage of a hollow needle or trocar and cannula into the brain to drain an abscess or the fluid of a hydrocephalus.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CEPHALOCENTESIS

• xephalocentesis
• vephalocentesis
• fephalocentesis
• dephalocentesis
• cwphalocentesis
• csphalocentesis
• cdphalocentesis
• crphalocentesis
• c4phalocentesis
• c3phalocentesis
• ceohalocentesis
• celhalocentesis
• ce-halocentesis
• ce0halocentesis
• cepgalocentesis
• cepbalocentesis
• cepnalocentesis
• cepjalocentesis
• cepualocentesis
• cepyalocentesis

Etymology of CEPHALOCENTESIS

The word "cephalocentesis" is derived from the Greek words "kephalḗ" meaning "head" and "kentēsis" meaning "pricking" or "puncturing".

Plural form of CEPHALOCENTESIS is CEPHALOCENTESES