pericranium

noun

peri·​cra·​ni·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əm 

plural pericrania ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-ə 

: the external periosteum of the skull

pericranial

ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pericraneum, from Medieval Latin, from Greek perikranion, neuter of perikranios around the skull, from peri- + kranion skull — more at cranium

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pericranium

noun

peri·​cra·​ni·​um ˌper-ə-ˈkrā-nē-əm 

plural pericrania -nē-ə 

: the deepest layer of the scalp that is composed of dense, fibrous connective tissue : the periosteum of the outer skull

pericranial

-nē-əl 

adjective

pericranial nerves

Tension-type headaches present with pressing or tightening quality of a bilateral headache, with increased pericranial tenderness being the most common abnormal finding.

—Emergency Medicine Reports