Psychology Dictionary
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Aa
Psychology Dictionary
Aa
Search
  • Dictionary
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • I
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U
    • W
    • Y
    • Z
  • Health Topics
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Dissociative Disorders
    • Epilepsy
    • Insomnia
    • Neurology
    • Oncology
    • PCP
    • Pediatrics
    • Personality Disorders
    • Primary Care
    • Schizophrenia
    • Sleepdisorders
    • Substance Abuse Disorders
Follow US
© PscyhologyDictionary.org. All Rights Reserved.
Home > H > HYDROCEPHALY
H

HYDROCEPHALY

By N., Sam M.S.

An enlargement of the head resultingfrom excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles (open spaces) of the brain (internal hydrocephaly) or, less often, between the hemispheres (external hydrocephaly).in most cases progressive accumulation of fluid produces internal pressure that damages the brain tissue. If the damage is slight, intellectual impairment is not great; if it is extensive, severe, or profound mental retardation may result, sometimes accompanied by convulsions and impairment or loss of sight and hearing. Most hydrocephalics require custodial care. The less severe cases can be trained to care for their physical needs, but where the head is extremely large and heavy they must be confined to bed.Hydrocephaly may be present at birth, and probably results from prenatal conditions that affect the formation and circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. In rare cases, known as an- encephaly, the fluid completely inhibits the growth of the brain. In some instances the condition develops during infancy and early childhood in connection with intracranial neoplasms (tumors), head injury, or brain inflammations associated with chronic meningitis or congenital syphilis. The rare infectious disease, toxoplasmosis, may also result inhydrocephaly.Recently developed surgical techniques have been dramatically successful in arresting the condition in its early stages before severe brain damage occurs. These procedures are directed toward reducing the production of cerebrospinal fluid or channeling it past obstructions resulting from congenital malformations or postnatal infections. Some cases, however, develop severe postoperative complications or do not respond to treatment, and the cranium continues to expand until gross deterioration and death occur.

ID, 'custom_sentence', true); if (!empty($custom_sentence)) { ?>
: ""
Cite this page: N., Sam M.S., "HYDROCEPHALY," in PsychologyDictionary.org, November 28, 2018, https://psychologydictionary.org/hydrocephaly/ (accessed September 29, 2023).
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Avatar photo
By N., Sam M.S.
Sam holds a masters in Child Psychology and is an avid supporter of Psychology academics.
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

The Psychology of Eating Disorders: Unraveling the Complexity of Food and Emotions
The Psychology of Eating Disorders
Psychology of Happiness
The Psychology of Happiness
The Psychology of Weight Loss Motivation
The Psychology of Weight Loss Motivation
Psychology of Not Completing Tasks
Psychology of Adolescence
Psychology of Adolescence
Psychology of Persuasion
The Psychology of Persuasion
Psychology of the Unconscious Mind
Psychology of Procrastination
Psychology of Procrastination: Identifying Triggers and Overcoming Hurdles
Psychology of Color Blue
Psychology of Color Blue
Psychology of Religion
Psychology of Religion
The Psychology of Narcissism
The Psychology of Narcissism
How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age
How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Health as You Age

Popular Psychology Terms

JUDGMENT
MEDICAL MODEL
HYPERMNESIA
AFFIRMATION
BRAINWASHING
BACKUP REINFORCER
QUALITY
WELL-BEING
MESSAGE-LEARNING APPROACH
AFFILIATIVE BEHAVIOR
SENSORY ADAPTATION
ABILITY
ACCULTURATION
ASSERTIVENESS

Read This Next

WUNDT, WILHELM MAX, (1832— 1920)

By N., Sam M.S.

YERKES, ROBERT MEARNS (1876- 1956)

By N., Sam M.S.

VISIBLE SPECTRUM

By N., Sam M.S.

VISUAL DEFECTS

By N., Sam M.S.

VOLUNTEER WORKERS

By N., Sam M.S.

WERNICKE’S SYNDROME

By N., Sam M.S.

SYNESTHESIA (literally, “feeling to- gether”)

By N., Sam M.S.

WERTHEIMER, MAX (1880-1943)

By N., Sam M.S.

About Us

Powered by Psychology Dictionary: the only Free Online Psychology Dictionary

Follow Us

©2023 PsychologyDictionary.org

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy