CEPHALOCAUDAL Meaning and
Definition
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Cephalocaudal is an adjective that refers to the concept or principle related to human or animal development that progresses from the head to the tail or from the top-down. The term is derived from the Greek words "cephalo," meaning head, and "caudal," referring to the tail. It is often used in the context of embryology, anatomy, or pediatric development.
In the field of embryology, cephalocaudal development explains how organisms develop and grow in a directional pattern, with the head and brain developing first, followed by other major body structures such as the spinal cord and limbs. It is a fundamental principle that helps understand the order and sequence of development in various body parts during the prenatal and early postnatal periods.
During infancy and childhood, the cephalocaudal principle also plays a crucial role in motor skill development. Infants typically gain control over their head and neck movements first, followed by the upper body and eventually the lower body. For instance, a baby usually begins to lift their head, then gradually learns to sit independently, crawl, stand, and eventually walk. Cephalocaudal development in this context describes the sequential progression of motor abilities from the head to the lower extremities.
In summary, cephalocaudal is a term used to describe the pattern of development or growth that occurs from the head to the tail or from the top-down, both in embryological and developmental contexts.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CEPHALOCAUDAL
- cephalocautal
- cephalocaulal
- cephalocaudil
- cephalocaudel
- cephalocaudcl
- cephalocaudad
- cephalocaudah
- cephalocaudan
- cephalocaudam
- cephalowcaudal
- c ephalocaudal
- ceph alocaudal
- cepha locaudal
- cephal ocaudal
- cephalo caudal
- cephaloc audal
- cephaloca udal
- cephalocau dal
- cephalocaud al
- cephalocauda l
Etymology of CEPHALOCAUDAL
The word "cephalocaudal" is derived from two Greek roots: "kephalē" meaning "head" and "kaudalos" meaning "tail". It is a combination of these roots to form a compound word where "cephalo" stands for "head" and "caudal" stands for "tail". The term is commonly used in biology to describe the pattern of development where growth and differentiation begin from the head and progress in a downward direction towards the tail.
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