HYDROCEPHALUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hydrocephalus mean? 

• HYDROCEPHALUS (noun)
  The noun HYDROCEPHALUS has 1 sense:

1. 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

  Familiarity information: HYDROCEPHALUS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HYDROCEPHALUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

hydrocephalus; hydrocephaly

Hypernyms ("hydrocephalus" is a kind of...):

abnormalcy; abnormality (an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies)

Derivation:

hydrocephalic (relating to or characterized by or evidencing hydrocephalus)

 Context examples 

Scientists showed that eliminating the p75NTR gene prevented hydrocephalus in mice genetically engineered to have astrocytes that produce higher levels of TGF-beta.

(Scientists uncover nuclear process in the brain that may affect disease, NIH)

Signs and symptoms include irritability, increased muscle tone, seizures, and hydrocephalus.

(Hydranencephaly, NCI Thesaurus)

Hydrocephalus can be congenital, or present at birth.

(Hydrocephalus, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Due to their location, chronic or intermittent hydrocephalus can result.

(Intracranial Colloid Cyst, NCI Thesaurus)

Symptoms include increased intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, and focal neurological signs.

(Ependymoblastoma, NCI Thesaurus)

Hydrocephalus that results from head trauma, brain tumors, intracranial hemorrhage, or meningitis.

(Acquired Hydrocephalus, NCI Thesaurus)

Causes include hydrocephalus, enlarged brain, and cranial hyperostosis.

(Macrocephaly, NCI Thesaurus)

Hydrocephalus that is present at birth.

(Congenital Hydrocephalus, NCI Thesaurus)

Representative examples include cerebrovascular disorder, hydrocephalus, and encephalitis.

(Non-Neoplastic Brain Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

Intracranial arachnoid cysts may present with headaches, seizures and hydrocephalus.

(Arachnoid Cyst, NCI Thesaurus)