The word "dolichocephalic" refers to a long and narrow skull shape with a relatively long head. The spelling of this word in IPA phonetic transcription is /ˌdɒlɪkəʊseˈfælɪk/. The pronunciation of this word can be broken down into individual sounds, starting with the labial dental consonant /d/, followed by the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɒ/, and ending with the voiceless lateral fricative /lɪk/. The word's etymology derives from the Greek words "dolichos" (meaning elongated) and "kephalē" (meaning head) combined with the suffix "-ic" (pertaining to).
Dolichocephalic is an adjective that is used to describe an individual or a characteristic related to elongated or narrow-headedness. The term originates from the combination of two Greek words: "dolicho," meaning long or elongated, and "cephalic," referring to the head.
In biological and anthropological contexts, dolichocephalic describes an individual or a population with a head shape characterized by an oblong or elongated cranium. This trait is typically determined by measuring the cranial index, which is calculated by dividing the maximum width of the skull by its maximum length and multiplying it by 100. A dolichocephalic cranial index usually falls below a specified threshold, indicating a relatively long and narrow skull shape.
Dolichocephalic features oftentimes exhibit regional variations and can be found more commonly in certain ethnic groups or populations. For instance, it is frequently observed in individuals of African, Mediterranean, or Nordic descent, but less so in East Asian or Indigenous American populations.
Understanding and classifying cranial shapes, such as dolichocephaly, has been of interest in fields like anthropology, genetics, and forensics. These classifications may help in studying human genetic diversity, tracing migration patterns of ancient populations, or aiding forensic identification. However, it is crucial to remember that dolichocephalic is a term to describe a physical characteristic and should not be used for any discriminatory purposes or to make assumptions about other traits, abilities, or intelligence of individuals.
Having a disproportionately long head. Noting a skull with a cephalic index below 75, or an individual with such a skull. Among the dolichocephalic races are the Eskimo, Kaffirs, Zulus, Australians, and Fijians.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Long-headed; applied to the long-skulled tribes of the human family.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "dolichocephalic" derives from two Greek roots: "dolicho" meaning "long" or "elongated" and "cephalic" meaning "pertaining to the head". In anthropological and biological terms, "dolichocephalic" describes a skull or head shape that is elongated from front to back.