hydrocephalus

Also hy·dro·ceph·a·ly

[hahy-druh-sef-uh-luhs]

noun

Pathology.

1. 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.

hydrocephalus

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfəlɪ, ˌhaɪdrəʊˈsɛfələs, ˌhaɪdrəʊsɛˈfælɪk /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: water on the brain. 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

hydrocephalus

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• hydrocephalic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrocephalus¹

1660–70; < Late Latin hydrocephalus ( morbus ) water-headed (sickness), translation of Greek tò hydroképhalon ( páthos ). See hydro- ¹, -cephalous