Cephalization
a tendency in the development of animals to localization of important organs or parts in or near the head.
noun
(in the evolution of animals) development of a head by the concentration of feeding and sensory organs and nervous tissue at the anterior end
n.
1864, coined by U.S. zoologist James D. Dana (1813-1895) from Greek kephale “head” (see cephalo-) on model of specialization, etc.
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- Cephalo-
a combining form meaning “head,” used in the formation of compound words: cephalometry. combining form indicating the head: cephalopod before vowels, cephal-, word-forming element meaning “head, skull, brain,” Modern Latin combining form of Greek kephale “head,” perhaps from PIE *ghebh-el-. cephalo- or cephal- pref. Head: cephalometry.
- Cephalocaudal axis
cephalocaudal axis ceph·a·lo·cau·dal axis (sěf’ə-lō-kôd’l) n. The long axis of the body.
- Cephalocele
cephalocele ceph·a·lo·cele (sěf’ə-lō-sēl’) n. See encephalocele.
- Cephalochordate
belonging or pertaining to the Cephalochordata. any chordate animal of the subphylum Cephalochordata, having fishlike characters but lacking a spinal column, comprising the lancelets. noun any chordate animal of the subphylum Cephalochordata, having a fishlike body and no vertebral column; a lancelet adjective of, relating to, or belonging to the Cephalochordata cephalochordate (sěf’ə-lə-kôr’dāt’) A member […]
- Cephalocentesis
cephalocentesis ceph·a·lo·cen·te·sis (sěf’ə-lō-sěn-tē’sĭs) n. The passage of a hollow needle or a trocar and cannula into the brain to allow drainage.