calvarium

noun

cal·​var·​i·​um kal-ˈver-ē-əm How to pronounce calvarium (audio)
plural calvaria kal-ˈver-ē-ə How to pronounce calvarium (audio)
: the portion of a skull including the braincase and excluding the lower jaw or lower jaw and facial portion

Examples of calvarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bullet had apparently ricocheted inside around his skull, or the calvarium (skullcap), and had not hurt him. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin calvaria skull, from calvus bald; probably akin to Sanskrit kulva bald

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calvarium was in 1729

Dictionary Entries Near calvarium

Cite this Entry

“Calvarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calvarium. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

calvarium

noun
cal·​var·​i·​um -ē-əm How to pronounce calvarium (audio)
plural calvaria -ē-ə How to pronounce calvarium (audio)
: an incomplete skull
especially : the portion of a skull including the braincase and excluding the lower jaw or lower jaw and facial portion
The lesion was large, with cavernous sinus invasion and contact with the optic chiasm; the sella was expanded; and the calvarium was diffusely thickened. Andrea L. Utz et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
calvarial adjective
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