1. A reference to the head.
2. Situated or directed toward the head.
3. Located on, in, or near the head.

Cephalic disorders are congenital conditions that stem from damage to or abnormal development of the budding nervous system. Most cephalic disorders are caused by a disturbance that occurs very early in the development of the fetal nervous system.

Damage to the developing nervous system is a major cause of chronic, disabling disorders, and sometimes death in infants, children, and even adults. Cephalic disorders may be influenced by hereditary or genetic conditions or by environmental exposures during pregnancy (such as, medication taken by the mother, maternal infection, exposure to radiation).

Some cephalic disorders take place when the cranial sutures (the fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull) join prematurely.

1. Towards the head.
2. Etymology: from Greek kephale then cephal, "head" and -ic, "referring to, pertaining to".

Cephalic is the opposite of caudal.

A form of tetanus due to a wound of the head; especially, one near the eyebrow.

It is marked by trismus (prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles), facial paralysis on one side, and pronounced dysphagia (when swallowing is difficult or painful). It resembles rabies and is often fatal.