How to Pronounce Macrocephaly

Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling

Macrocephaly Pronunciation

mak-roh-SEF-ah-lee

Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables

Syllable Breakdown

mak

roh

SEF

stress here

lee

5 syllables

What is Macrocephaly?

A condition in which the circumference of the head is larger than two standard deviations above the average for age and sex, which may be due to hydrocephalus, megalencephaly (large brain), a thickened skull, or simply benign familial large head size. The underlying cause determines whether treatment is needed.

Questions About Macrocephaly

How do you pronounce macrocephaly?

Macrocephaly is pronounced mak-roh-SEF-ah-lee. The stress falls on the third syllable, which is SEF. Think of it as saying "mack-row-SEFF-uh-lee" with emphasis on that middle SEFF part.

What does the word break down into syllables?

Macrocephaly breaks into five syllables: mak-ro-ceph-a-ly. Each syllable is roughly one beat when you say the word aloud.

What is the most common mispronunciation of macrocephaly?

Many people stress the first or second syllable, saying MAK-roh-sef-ah-lee or mak-ROH-sef-ah-lee. The correct stress is on the third syllable: mak-roh-SEF-ah-lee.

Where do the word parts of macrocephaly come from?

Macrocephaly comes from two Greek roots: "macro" meaning large or big, and "cephaly" meaning head. When combined, they literally mean "large head."

What does macrocephaly mean in plain English?

Macrocephaly simply means having a head that is unusually large compared to what is typical for someone of that age and sex. It's a descriptive term for the size of the head itself.

What are some related medical words that use 'cephaly'?

Other medical words with "cephaly" include microcephaly (small head), hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and encephalitis (brain inflammation). They all relate to the head or brain in different ways.

Can you use macrocephaly in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The pediatrician noted that the infant had macrocephaly and recommended further evaluation to determine the cause." This shows how the word is used to describe a head size measurement.

Is there a short form or abbreviation for macrocephaly?

Macrocephaly is sometimes abbreviated as "MCH" in medical records, though it's not as commonly shortened as some other medical terms. The full word is usually used in conversation.