What does cephalocele mean?
A cephalocele is a rare congenital malformation in which intracranial contents — most often the membranes covering the brain, and sometimes brain tissue itself — herniate through an opening in the skull. The term comes from Greek roots meaning 'head' and 'hernia,' placing it in the same family as other medical '-cele' words such as hydrocele. Cephaloceles are classified by location, with occipital (back-of-head) cases among those described in the literature, though they can occur elsewhere along the midline. Diagnosis is typically made before or shortly after birth through imaging such as ultrasound or MRI, and treatment usually involves surgical repair by a pediatric neurosurgeon. The word belongs to formal medical register and appears almost exclusively in clinical literature, radiology reports, and discussions of congenital anomalies rather than everyday conversation.
nounA congenital hernia in which part of the cranial contents — typically the brain tissue or its surrounding membranes — protrudes through a defect in the skull.
- A congenital protrusion of brain tissue or meninges through a defect in the skull.
"The neonatal scan revealed a small cephalocele at the base of the skull, prompting referral to a pediatric neurosurgeon."
"An MRI confirmed that the occipital cephalocele contained both meninges and a small portion of cerebellar tissue."
"Surgical repair of the cephalocele was scheduled within the first weeks of the infant's life to protect the exposed membranes."
Standard English plural, formed by adding -s; occasionally seen in Latinized form 'cephalocoeles' in British spelling contexts.
"Occipital cephaloceles are among the types reported in studies of cranial neural tube defects."
The word literally means 'head hernia' in Greek — and it describes babies born with part of their brain or its coverings poking through a gap in the skull.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cephalocele
The word derives from Greek: 'kephalē' meaning 'head' combined with 'kēlē' meaning 'tumor' or 'hernia.' It entered English through New Latin medical terminology, joining a productive family of '-cele' terms for hernias and cystic swellings, such as hydrocele and varicocele. Its cognates include the broader adjective 'cephalic' and related neurological terms built on the same Greek root for head.
How cephalocele is actually used
Strictly a medical term used in clinical and anatomical contexts; it is not encountered in everyday speech. In modern practice, 'encephalocele' is often preferred when brain tissue is specifically involved.
Easily confused with cephalocele
Encephalocele refers specifically to herniation containing brain tissue, whereas cephalocele is the broader term covering any protrusion of cranial contents, including meninges alone.