Cephalograph

/ˈsɛf.ə.loʊ.ɡræf/ noun

Definition

An instrument that takes X-ray images of the head, or the photograph itself produced by such an instrument.

Etymology

From Greek kephalē (head) + -graph (instrument that writes or records). Developed in early radiography as practitioners created specialized machines to standardize head X-rays for medical comparison.

Kelly Says

The cephalograph was ingenious because it didn't just take random head pictures—it held your head in exact positions so doctors could compare images year after year and measure millimeter-by-millimeter changes in bone structure.

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