What does pericranium mean?
The pericranium is the specialized name for the membrane that covers the outer surface of the skull. It is the skull's form of periosteum, the tough connective-tissue layer that supplies blood to bone and provides attachment points for muscles and other tissues. In surgical descriptions, the scalp is opened and the pericranium is incised or reflected to expose the cranial bones. Although the term is anatomically precise, it is primarily used in specialist medical and anatomical writing; general discussions of the skull usually say periosteum. Understanding the distinction can help clarify descriptions of cranial operations, fractures, and dissection.
nounThe periosteum, or connective-tissue membrane, covering the outer surface of the skull. It is continuous with the deep layers of the scalp and helps nourish and protect the cranial bones.
- An anatomical term for the periosteum covering the outer surface of the skull.
"The surgeon carefully reflected the pericranium from the skull during the procedure."
"In anatomical dissection, the pericranium can be separated from the underlying bone."
"The incision was extended through the scalp and pericranium to expose the skull."
The plural is pericrania.
"The pericrania cover the outer surfaces of the cranial bones."
The word names the skull's own periosteum: a living membrane that follows the bones beneath the scalp.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pericranium come from?
The word combines the Greek prefix peri-, meaning around or surrounding, with kranion, meaning skull. Its development reflects the older anatomical terminology of the Greek kranion, which also gave rise to English words such as cranial and craniotomy. In modern usage, pericranium specifically names the periosteal covering of the skull.
Related word forms
How pericranium is actually used
This is a specialized anatomical term, used mainly in surgery, anatomy, and comparative anatomy. It is less common than the general term periosteum.
Easily confused with pericranium
The pericranium covers the skull, whereas the pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart.
Periosteum is the general term for the membrane covering bone; pericranium specifically denotes the portion covering the skull.