cephalad

1 9.9

Toward the head of the body

adjective
/ˈsɛfəˌlæd/

Specialized

: cefálico

During the procedure, the surgeon moved the instrument in a cephalad direction to reach the upper organs.

Examples

The scan revealed a mass in the cephalad region of the abdomen, closer to the chest.
The doctor noted that the injury was located on the cephalad side of the patient's torso.
Move cephalad!
The doctor instructed the patient to move cephalad during the examination.
The scan revealed a mass in the cephalad region of the abdomen, closer to the chest.
During the procedure, the surgeon moved the instrument in a cephalad direction to reach the upper organs.
The doctor instructed the patient to move cephalad during the examination.

Synonyms

cranially

vscephalad

Specialized

1 7.8

In a direction toward the head of the body

is broader, naming movement toward the head not limited to the skull

headward

vscephalad

1 9.1

Toward the head or front of something

is the anatomical term for positions nearer the head in the body

How Headward

cephalad

Specialized

1 9.9

cranial

Specialized

31 6.5

midbody

Specialized

1 7.4

caudal

Specialized

1 8.2

Surface Forms

cephalad positive

Morphology

cephalad = cephal + ad

The element 'cephal' is a Greek combining form (not a standalone English word) and '-ad' is a specialized directional suffix, so the composition is understandable mainly to medical/technical users rather than average learners.

Etymology

The word cephalad comes from the Greek root cephal- meaning 'head'. So in medicine it means 'toward the head', and is used to say a part or movement is closer to the head.