brachycephaly
Pronunciation: BRAK-ee-sef-ah-lee
A shortened skull shape with increased width, often resulting from bilateral coronal suture fusion.
Full Definition
Brachycephaly describes a skull shape that is disproportionately wide and short, typically caused by premature fusion of both coronal sutures (bilateral coronal synostosis). This results in restricted anterior-posterior growth with compensatory growth in the lateral and superior directions. The condition is characterized by a flattened forehead, elevated cranial vault, and may be associated with increased intracranial pressure. Surgical treatment involves cranial vault reshaping procedures to normalize skull proportions and accommodate brain growth.
Usage
Usage note: Use cephalic index measurements to quantify severity: mild (81-85), moderate (86-90), severe (>90).
In Context
- "The infant showed severe brachycephaly with a cephalic index of 95." — Anthropometric measurement report
- "Posterior cranial vault expansion was recommended for the brachycephaly correction." — Treatment plan