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cráneo means skull — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: March 13, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

cráneo

noun • /[KRA-neh-o]/

skull

Example:

El cráneo protege el cerebro.

The skull protects the brain.

🧠 What does cráneo mean?

The cráneo refers to the bony structure that forms the head of a vertebrate, enclosing and protecting the brain. It is composed of several bones that fuse together to create a rigid casing. In medical contexts, it is essential for understanding anatomy, diagnoses related to the head, and surgical procedures.

📚 Extra examples

  • El radiólogo examinó cuidadosamente el cráneo del paciente en busca de fracturas.
    The radiologist carefully examined the patient's skull for fractures.
  • La forma del cráneo puede variar entre diferentes especies animales.
    The shape of the skull can vary between different animal species.
  • Un golpe fuerte en el cráneo puede tener consecuencias graves.
    A strong blow to the skull can have serious consequences.
  • Los paleontólogos estudian los fósiles de cráneos para reconstruir la historia evolutiva.
    Paleontologists study fossilized skulls to reconstruct evolutionary history.

💡 Did You Know?

The human cráneo is composed of 22 bones, divided into the neurocráneo (which encloses the brain) and the viscerocráneo (forming the face).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "cráneo"

Synonyms: cabeza ósea

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'skull' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'skull' is 'cráneo'.
How do you pronounce 'cráneo' in Spanish?
'Cráneo' is pronounced KRAH-neh-oh. The accent mark over the 'á' indicates that this syllable receives the stress.
How do you use 'cráneo' in a sentence?
As a noun, 'cráneo' is used to refer to the skull. For example: 'El cráneo protege el cerebro.' (The skull protects the brain.)
What is the English translation of 'cráneo'?
The English translation of 'cráneo' is 'skull'.
Does 'cráneo' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'cráneo' is a masculine noun. In the plural, it becomes 'cráneos'.
Is 'cráneo' common in everyday Spanish?
While 'cráneo' is a precise anatomical term, it can appear in everyday Spanish when discussing injuries, biology, or even in figurative expressions, though less frequently than more common nouns.
Does 'cráneo' have slang or double meanings?
In some informal contexts, 'cráneo' can be used colloquially to refer to a very intelligent person, similar to 'brain' in English slang. However, its primary and most common meaning is anatomical.
Is 'cráneo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning of 'cráneo' as 'skull' is consistent across Spain and Latin America. Regional variations might exist more in its colloquial or figurative uses.

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