What does hydrocephalic mean?
Hydrocephalic is a medical adjective meaning affected by or relating to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a disorder involving an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain; the resulting pressure can damage brain tissue and, particularly in infants and children, cause the head to enlarge. The adjective may describe a patient or infant, as in ‘hydrocephalic child,’ or be used in historical and anatomical descriptions of a hydrocephalic skull. In clinical contexts, it identifies a diagnosed condition, whereas in museum and historical writing it may describe physical evidence associated with the disorder. The word is formally constructed from elements meaning ‘water’ and ‘head,’ reflecting the characteristic presence of fluid within the skull. Although increasingly replaced in ordinary medical discussion by the shorter noun hydrocephalus, hydrocephalic remains useful when an adjective is grammatically required or when describing a person, specimen, or historical figure.
adjectiveAffected by or relating to hydrocephalus, a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain, causing increased pressure and sometimes enlargement of the head.
- Affected by, or relating to, hydrocephalus.
"The infant was diagnosed as hydrocephalic and referred to a neurosurgical specialist."
"The infant was diagnosed as hydrocephalic and referred to a neurosurgical specialist."
"The museum catalogue identifies the remains of a hydrocephalic ruler whose enlarged skull reflects abnormal cranial growth in early life."
Hydrocephalic literally means ‘water-headed’: it combines Greek roots for ‘water’ and ‘head’ to evoke the condition's characteristic buildup of fluid.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hydrocephalic come from?
The English adjective was formed from hydro-, meaning ‘water,’ and -cephalic, meaning ‘head’ or relating to the head. Both elements ultimately come from Greek: hydōr for ‘water’ and kephalē for ‘head.’ Its related medical forms include the noun hydrocephalus and the more technical term hydrocephaly, both belonging to the same Greek-derived compound family.
Related word forms
How hydrocephalic is actually used
This is chiefly a medical and historical term. In general discussion, hydrocephalus is more commonly used to name the condition, while hydrocephalic serves as its adjective.
Easily confused with hydrocephalic
Hydrocephalus is the noun naming the medical condition, whereas hydrocephalic is the adjective describing someone affected by it or something relating to it.