What does hydrocephalus mean?

Definitions for hydrocephalus
ˌhaɪ drəˈsɛf ə ləshy·dro·cephalus

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word hydrocephalus.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. hydrocephalus, hydrocephalynoun

    an abnormal condition in which cerebrospinal fluid collects in the ventricles of the brain; in infants it can cause abnormally rapid growth of the head and bulging fontanelles and a small face; in adults the symptoms are primarily neurological

Wiktionary

  1. hydrocephalusnoun

    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

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Hydrocephalusnoun

    A dropsy in the head.

    Etymology: ὕδωϱ and ϰεφαλὴ.

    A hydrocephalus, or dropsy of the head, is only incurable when the serum is extravasated into the ventricles of the brain. John Arbuthnot, on Diet.

Wikipedia

  1. Hydrocephalus

    Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) occurs within the brain. This typically causes increased pressure inside the skull. Older people may have headaches, double vision, poor balance, urinary incontinence, personality changes, or mental impairment. In babies, it may be seen as a rapid increase in head size. Other symptoms may include vomiting, sleepiness, seizures, and downward pointing of the eyes.Hydrocephalus can occur due to birth defects or be acquired later in life. Associated birth defects include neural tube defects and those that result in aqueductal stenosis. Other causes include meningitis, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, intraventricular hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The four types of hydrocephalus are communicating, noncommunicating, ex vacuo, and normal pressure. Diagnosis is typically made by physical examination and medical imaging.Hydrocephalus is typically treated by the surgical placement of a shunt system. A procedure called a third ventriculostomy is an option in some people. Complications from shunts may include overdrainage, underdrainage, mechanical failure, infection, or obstruction. This may require replacement. Outcomes are variable, but many people with shunts live normal lives. Without treatment, death or permanent disability may occur.About one to two per 1,000 newborns have hydrocephalus. Rates in the developing world may be higher. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is estimated to affect about 5 per 100,000 people, with rates increasing with age. Description of hydrocephalus by Hippocrates dates back more than 2,000 years. The word hydrocephalus is from the Greek ὕδωρ, hydōr, meaning 'water' and κεφαλή, kephalē, meaning 'head'.

ChatGPT

  1. hydrocephalus

    Hydrocephalus is a medical condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, leading to increased pressure inside the skull. This often results in swelling of the head and may cause damage to the brain, developmental delays, physical and cognitive impairment. It can occur at any age but is most common in infants and adults 60 and over.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Hydrocephalusnoun

    an accumulation of liquid within the cavity of the cranium, especially within the ventricles of the brain; dropsy of the brain. It is due usually to tubercular meningitis. When it occurs in infancy, it often enlarges the head enormously

  2. Etymology: [NL., fr. Gr. hydrocephalus; "y`dwr water + head.]

Wikidata

  1. Hydrocephalus

    Hydrocephalus, also known as "water on the brain," is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head, convulsion, tunnel vision, and mental disability. Hydrocephalus can also cause death. The name is derived from the ancient Greek word ὑδροκέφαλον, hudroképhalon, translated as "water in the head" or verbatim as "water-headed". This word is short for τὸ ὑδροκέφαλον πάθος, to hudroképhalon páthos, "the sufffering from water in the head". The ancient Greek ὑδροκέφαλον, hudroképhalon is composed of the words ὕδωρ, húdōr, "water", and κεφαλή, kephalé, "head".

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Hydrocephalus

    hī-dro-sef′a-lus, n. an accumulation of serous fluid within the cranial cavity, either in the sub-dural space or the ventricles: water in the head: dropsy of the brain.—adjs. Hydrocephal′ic, Hydroceph′aloid, Hydroceph′alous. [Gr. hydōr, water, kephalē, the head.]

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Hydrocephalus

    Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium which may be associated with dilation of cerebral ventricles, INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION; HEADACHE; lethargy; URINARY INCONTINENCE; and ATAXIA (and in infants macrocephaly). This condition may be caused by obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid pathways due to neurologic abnormalities, INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGES; CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INFECTIONS; BRAIN NEOPLASMS; CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA; and other conditions. Impaired resorption of cerebrospinal fluid from the arachnoid villi results in a communicating form of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo refers to ventricular dilation that occurs as a result of brain substance loss from CEREBRAL INFARCTION and other conditions.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of hydrocephalus in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of hydrocephalus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

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"hydrocephalus." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/hydrocephalus>.

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