How Do You Spell PLAGIOCEPHALISM?

Pronunciation: [plˈad͡ʒɪˌə͡ʊsfəlˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Plagiocephalism is a condition where the skull becomes flattened due to pressure on one side. The word can be broken down into three parts: plagio, cephal, and ism. Plagio- means "oblique" or "diagonal," cephal- means "head," and -ism is a suffix denoting a condition or quality of something. The phonetic transcription for plagiocephalism is /pleɪdʒioʊsefəlɪzəm/. The stress in the word is on the second syllable, and the "plagio" and "cephal" parts are pronounced with a long "a" and a soft "c," respectively.

PLAGIOCEPHALISM Meaning and Definition

1. Plagiocephalism is a medical term that refers to the condition characterized by an abnormal head shape or asymmetry. It commonly occurs in infants, particularly due to prolonged pressure on one area of the baby's skull, often caused by factors like positioning during sleep or excessive time spent in a supine (back) position.

   The typical head shape associated with plagiocephalism is flattened on one side, while the opposite side may have a more prominent bulge. This asymmetrical head shape can be visually noticeable and may become a cause of concern for parents or healthcare professionals.

   Plagiocephalism is generally a benign condition and usually resolves on its own as the baby grows. However, in some cases, it might be necessary to use specific interventions to correct the head shape, such as repositioning techniques, physical therapy, or the use of corrective helmets. These interventions aim to alleviate pressure from the flattened part of the skull and encourage more symmetrical growth.

   It is important for parents to be aware of the factors that contribute to plagiocephalism, such as prolonged supine positioning, limited tummy time, or the use of devices that restrict movement, and take necessary preventive measures. Regular visits to healthcare professionals during the early stages of an infant's life can help monitor and manage any signs of plagiocephalism.

2. Plagiocephaly.

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

Common Misspellings for PLAGIOCEPHALISM

• plagiocephalicm
• plagiocephaliqm
• plagiocephalirm
• plagiocephalise
• plagiocephalisi
• plagiocephaliso
• plagiocephalisl
• pl agiocephalism
• pla giocephalism
• plag iocephalism
• plagi ocephalism
• plagio cephalism
• plagioc ephalism
• plagioceph alism
• plagiocepha lism
• plagiocephal ism
• plagiocephali sm
• plagiocephalis m

Etymology of PLAGIOCEPHALISM

The word "plagiocephalism" is primarily composed of two root words: "plagio-" and "-cephalism".

The root "plagio-" comes from the Greek word "plagios", meaning "oblique" or "slanting". It is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to conditions related to asymmetry or deformity of body parts.

The second root, "-cephalism", comes from the Greek word "kephalē", which means "head". In medical terminology, "-cephalism" is used to indicate a condition or disease related to the head or skull.

Therefore, combining these two roots, "plagiocephalism" refers to a condition characterized by the asymmetry or flattening of one side of an infant's head, commonly known as "flat head syndrome".