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Glite Dictionary
nanocephalic

nanocephalic

9.9
Having a very small head and brain from birth
  • adjective
  • /ˌnænoʊsəˈfælɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nanocefálico
  • The patient was diagnosed as nanocephalic at birth due to his extremely small skull.

Examples

  • Children with nanocephalic features often experience significant developmental challenges.

  • The doctor diagnosed the infant as nanocephalic.

  • A nanocephalic condition can sometimes be detected during prenatal scans.

  • Is the nanocephalic diagnosis common in newborns?

  • A nanocephalic condition can sometimes be detected during prenatal scans.

  • Children with nanocephalic features often experience significant developmental challenges.

  • The patient was diagnosed as nanocephalic at birth due to his extremely small skull.

Synonyms

microcephalic
vsnanocephalic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Having a head much smaller than normal because the brain did not grow

is a congenital condition focusing on birth origin instead of cause
microcephalous
vsnanocephalic
  • Specialized
9.9

A person born with a much smaller head and brain

is present from birth stressing congenital origin rather than general association

Surface Forms

nanocephalic positive

Morphology

nanocephalic = cephalic (semi-transparent) = nano + cephal + ic

The meaning is built from nano- 'very small' plus cephalic 'relating to the head', but the medical sense is specialized rather than fully everyday.

Etymology

Nanocephalic joins the prefix nano-, seen in nanometer, meaning 'very small', and -cephalic meaning 'head'. So it literally means 'very small head', which is why doctors use it for a condition with a very small head and a less developed brain.