cranio-

Cranio- is a combining form used like a prefix representing the word cranium, the skull, especially the part that covers the brain. It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Cranio- ultimately comes from the Greek ������í�Dz�, meaning “skull.”

������ are variants of cranio-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, cranio- becomes crani-, as in craniectomy.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features cranio- is craniotomy, “the operation of opening the skull, usually for operations on the brain.”

We know that cranio- means “skull,” but what about the –tomy part of the word? It means “cutting, incision.” Craniotomy literally translates to “skull cutting.”

������ are some words that use the combining form cranio-?

• craniocele
• craniocerebral
• craniocleidodysostosis
• craniofacial
• craniograph
• craniomalacia
• craniometer
• craniopathy
• cranioplasty
• cranioscopy

������ are some other forms that cranio- may be commonly confused with?

• carpo-
• carcino-
• cephalo-
• cortico-

The combining form -meter means “measure,” and it is used to name measuring instruments. ������ does a craniometer measure the dimensions of?