hydrocephalus
[ hahy-druh-sef-uh-luh s ]
/ ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə ləs /
noun Pathology.
an accumulation of serous fluid within the cranium, especially in infancy, due to obstruction of the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, often causing great enlargement of the head; water on the brain.
Also
hy·dro·ceph·a·ly
[hahy-druh-sef-uh-lee] /ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə li/.
Origin of hydrocephalus
1660–70; < Late Latin
hydrocephalus (
morbus) water-headed (sickness), translation of Greek
tò hydroképhalon (
páthos). See
hydro-1,
-cephalous
Words nearby hydrocephalus
Example sentences from the Web for hydrocephalus
British Dictionary definitions for hydrocephalus
hydrocephalus
hydrocephaly (ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfəlɪ)
/ (ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfələs) /
noun
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain because its normal outlet has been blocked by congenital malformation or disease. In infancy it usually results in great enlargement of the head
Nontechnical name: water on the brain
Derived forms of hydrocephalus
hydrocephalic (ˌhaɪdrəʊsɛˈfælɪk), hydrocephaloid or hydrocephalous, adjectiveMedical definitions for hydrocephalus
hydrocephalus
[ hī′drō-sĕf′ə-ləs ]
n.
A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue.
Other words from hydrocephalus
hy′dro•ce•phal′ic (-sə-făl′ĭk) null adj.Scientific definitions for hydrocephalus
hydrocephalus
[ hī′drō-sĕf′ə-ləs ]
A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of and injury to brain tissue. If hydrocephalus becomes progressive, a shunt is surgically placed to reduce pressure by conducting fluid away from the brain, usually to the peritoneum.