Medical Root
cephal/o
cephal/o means head (from the Greek).
What does cephal/o mean?
Cephal/o is a word root that means head. It comes from the Greek word for head and is used to build many medical terms that relate to the head.
When you see cephal/o in a word, it is pointing to something about the head. For example, cephalgia means head pain (headache), and hydrocephalus refers to a build-up of fluid in the head. Recognising cephal/o helps you work out the meaning of terms you have not seen before, as long as you know the other parts of the word.
Cephal/o is closely related to other roots for the brain and head region. It is worth learning alongside them so you can tell apart terms that refer to the head in general and those that refer to the brain specifically.
Example words using cephal/o
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does cephal/o mean?
Cephal/o is a root meaning head.
What does cephalic mean?
Cephalic means relating to the head.
What does hydrocephalus mean?
It refers to a build-up of fluid in the head.
Where does cephal/o come from?
It comes from the Greek word for head.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.