What does megalocephaly mean?
Megalocephaly is a formal medical noun meaning an abnormally large head or skull, usually in association with increased cranial capacity. Doctors may use the term when examining children or adults with unusually large heads, but it describes a finding rather than a single diagnosis. Megalocephaly can occur in several congenital, developmental, and neurological conditions, so its significance depends on factors such as age, growth pattern, symptoms, and imaging findings. The related term macrocephaly is often used similarly and may sometimes be treated as a synonym. Megalocephaly should not be confused with hydrocephalus, which specifically involves an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain rather than head size alone. The word is chiefly used in clinical reports, specialist literature, and medical discussion. Understanding it is useful because an apparently striking physical feature can require careful assessment rather than a simple conclusion about health or development.
nounAn abnormally large head or skull, usually associated with increased cranial capacity. The term is used in medicine to describe a physical finding that may occur in several developmental, congenital, or neurological conditions.
- An abnormally large head or skull, typically associated with increased cranial capacity.
"The clinician noted megalocephaly in the infant and recommended further imaging."
"Imaging revealed megalocephaly without an obvious underlying abnormality."
"Her research focuses on congenital megalocephaly and its association with neurological development."
The plural is uncommon; discussions of the condition more often use the singular in a general or uncountable sense.
"The report compares megalocephalies associated with several rare congenital syndromes."
Megalocephaly is a reminder that an unusually large head can be a medical finding rather than a diagnosis.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does megalocephaly come from?
Megalocephaly was formed in New Latin from Greek-derived elements meaning “large” and “head.” Its first element comes from Greek megas, “great” or “large,” while the second is based on Greek kephalē, “head.” The resulting term follows a broader English pattern in which Greek combining forms appear in medical vocabulary.
Related word forms
How megalocephaly is actually used
This is a formal, primarily medical term. It describes a physical finding or condition and is not generally used as a label for a person's appearance.
Easily confused with megalocephaly
Megalocephaly describes an abnormally large head or skull, whereas hydrocephalus specifically refers to an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricular system.