Brachistocephaly is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language. However, it is a term that is often used in the medical field to describe a particular physical characteristic. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of brachistocephaly, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Brachistocephaly is a term used to describe a condition in which the skull is short and broad. This condition is characterized by a cephalic index of over 85, which means that the width of the skull is more than 85% of its length. Brachistocephaly is often associated with certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, but can also occur in individuals without any underlying medical conditions.
Origin
The term brachistocephaly is derived from two Greek words: brachys, meaning short, and kephalē, meaning head. The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe the physical characteristic of a short and broad skull.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Brachistocephaly is not a term that is commonly found in most dictionaries. However, some medical dictionaries do include a definition of the term. For example, the Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary defines brachistocephaly as “a condition in which the skull is relatively short and broad.”
Associations
Brachistocephaly is often associated with certain genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome. It can also occur in individuals without any underlying medical conditions. In some cases, brachistocephaly may be associated with developmental delays or intellectual disabilities.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for brachistocephaly, including broad-headedness, short-headedness, and dolichocephaly (which is the opposite of brachistocephaly and describes a condition in which the skull is long and narrow).
Antonyms
The antonym of brachistocephaly is dolichocephaly, which is the opposite condition in which the skull is long and narrow.
The same root words
The root words of brachistocephaly are brachys and kephalē. These words are often used in medical terminology to describe other conditions. For example, brachydactyly is a condition in which the fingers are abnormally short, and kephalalgia is a medical term for a headache.
Example Sentences
- The doctor diagnosed the child with brachistocephaly due to the short and broad shape of their skull.
- Brachistocephaly is often associated with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome.
- The opposite of brachistocephaly is dolichocephaly, which describes a long and narrow skull shape.