What does encephalography mean?
Encephalography is the medical term for recording the brain's electrical activity, especially through electrodes placed on the scalp. The method produces an electroencephalogram, or EEG, and helps clinicians evaluate conditions such as seizures, sleep disorders, and periods of unusual unconsciousness. Although the word can sound like it refers broadly to brain imaging, it specifically concerns the recording of electrical signals rather than photographs or scans of the brain's structure. It is related to the more commonly used term electroencephalography, which names the same general technique. In ordinary conversation, people are more likely to say “EEG” or “electroencephalography” than “encephalography.” The term is therefore especially useful for recognizing the formal name for a procedure that is widely known in medicine by its abbreviation.
nounEncephalography is the process of recording the brain's electrical activity, especially by using electrodes placed on the scalp. It is chiefly associated with the technique known as electroencephalography (EEG).
- The process or technique of recording the brain's electrical activity, particularly with scalp electrodes.
"The neurologist used encephalography to investigate the patient's episodes of abnormal brain activity."
"The hospital performed encephalography to evaluate the child's seizures."
"Early researchers used encephalography to study patterns of electrical activity in the brain."
The plural is grammatically regular but is rarely needed because the term is normally used in the singular or as part of a fixed expression.
"The study compared encephalographies recorded before and after treatment."
The word literally evokes “writing within the head,” describing an attempt to capture the brain's electrical signals before any modern brain scanner existed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does encephalography come from?
Encephalography was formed in New Latin from Greek-derived elements: enkephalos, meaning “within the head,” and graphein, meaning “to write” or “to record.” The construction reflects the practice of writing down or recording activity within the head. Its close relatives, including encephalic, encephalitis, and encephalopathy, share the same Greek root for the head or brain.
Related word forms
How encephalography is actually used
This is formal medical terminology and is relatively uncommon outside neurology and clinical research. In modern usage, electroencephalography (EEG) is generally more familiar.
Easily confused with encephalography
Encephalography is the recording process, whereas an encephalogram is the resulting graphic record of the brain's electrical activity.