scaphocephaly

9.9

A baby born with a long narrow head because the bones in the skull close early

noun
/ˌskæfəˈsɛfəli/

Specialized

: escafocefalia

The pediatrician diagnosed the infant with scaphocephaly after observing the unusual shape of his skull.

Examples

Many children with scaphocephaly may require surgery.
The doctor diagnosed the infant with scaphocephaly.
Early detection of scaphocephaly can help prevent complications with brain development.
Surgery may be required in severe cases of scaphocephaly to correct the skull deformity.
The pediatrician diagnosed the infant with scaphocephaly after observing the unusual shape of his skull.
Early detection of scaphocephaly can help prevent complications with brain development.
Surgery may be required in severe cases of scaphocephaly to correct the skull deformity.

Surface Forms

scaphocephaly singular

scaphocephalies plural

Morphology

scaphocephaly = scapho + cephaly

The term is built from specialized Greek combining forms (scapho- and -cephaly) that are not recognizable as standalone English words to a typical B1 learner, so the medical meaning is not inferable from the parts.

Etymology

Scaphocephaly comes from Greek parts scapho- meaning 'boat' and -cephaly meaning 'head'. It describes a skull that is unusually long and narrow, like a small boat, so the name helps you picture the head's shape.