cephalo-, cephal-; -cephalic, -cephalism, -cephalous, -cephalus; -cephaly

1. Of a church, having its own head; independent of episcopal or patriarchal jurisdiction, as certain Greek churches are.
2. Of a bishop, subordinate to no superior church authority; self governing.

Having two heads.

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.

A headache or a pain in the head: After sitting a long time in the boring staff meeting, Mrs. Lawson had a bad cephalodynia, maybe even a migraine, and went to bed early that night.

A reference to a headache or a pain in the head: Mrs. Lawson called sup the principal of her school and told him that she had a cephalodynic disorder and a very sore throat and couldn't teach that day.