pericranium

noun

peri·​cra·​ni·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əm How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
plural pericrania ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-ə How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
: the external periosteum of the skull
pericranial
ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əl How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pericraneum, from Medieval Latin, from Greek perikranion, neuter of perikranios around the skull, from peri- + kranion skull — more at cranium

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pericranium was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pericranium

pericrane

pericranium

Pericu

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Cite this Entry

“Pericranium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pericranium. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

pericranium

noun
peri·​cra·​ni·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əm How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
plural pericrania -nē-ə How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
: the deepest layer of the scalp that is composed of dense, fibrous connective tissue : the periosteum of the outer skull
pericranial
-nē-əl How to pronounce pericranium (audio)
adjective
pericranial nerves
Tension-type headaches present with pressing or tightening quality of a bilateral headache, with increased pericranial tenderness being the most common abnormal finding. —Emergency Medicine Reports
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