What is "plagiocephaly"

Plagiocephaly \Pla`gi*o*ceph"a*ly\, n. (Anat.) Oblique lateral deformity of the skull.

n. (context pathology English) A congenital condition where the skull suffers an oblique malformation.

n. congenital malformation of the skull in which the main axis of the skull is oblique

Plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion (flattening of one side) of the skull. It is characterized by a flat spot on the back or one side of the head caused by remaining in a supine position for too long.

Plagiocephaly is the word that is used to describe a diagonal asymmetry across the head shape. This word particularly describes a flattening which is to one side at the back of the head and there is often some facial asymmetry. Plagiocephaly divides into two groups: synostotic plagiocephaly, with one or more fused cranial sutures, and nonsynostotic (deformational) plagiocephaly. Surgical treatment of these groups includes the deference method; however, the treatment of deformational plagiocephaly is controversial. Brachycephaly describes a very wide head shape with a flattening across the whole back of the head.