Word parts
What it means
Describes anything within the skull: the brain, its blood vessels, the fluid around it and its coverings. Common phrases are intracranial pressurein-truh-KRAY-nee-ul PRESH-erThe pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.intra- insidecrani/o skull-al relating toFull entry (the pressure inside the skull), intracranial bleeding (bleeding inside the skull) and an intracranial tumor. Because the skull cannot stretch, anything extra inside it, such as blood or swelling, presses on the brain.
For the nurse
After a head injury or brain surgery, check the level of consciousness, pupils and vital signs often, and report any change at once. Keep the head of the bed raised as ordered and the head and neck straight.
At a glance
| Spanish | intracraneal |
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Related terms
intracranial pressure
The pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.
crani/o
A word part that means the skull.
consciousness
The state of being awake and aware of oneself and one's surroundings.
stroke
Sudden damage to part of the brain because its blood supply is blocked or a blood vessel in it bursts.