cephalic

adj

1. Of or relating to the head.

   “The objective of this study was to identify the factors predictive of the success of external cephalic version (ECV). […] The study shows that transverse foetal presentation, a senior physician operator, multiparity, as well as a non-anterior placental location are factors predictive of the success of ECV.”

2. Of or relating to the head.

   “I was at the Mathematical School, where the Maſter taught his Pupils after a Method ſcarce imaginable to us in Europe. The Propoſition and Demonſtration were fairly written on a thin Wafer, with Ink compoſed of a Cephalick Tincture. This the Student was to ſwallow upon a faſting Stomach, and for three days following eat nothing but Bread and Water. As the Wafer digeſted, the Tincture mounted to his Brain, bearing the Propoſition along with it.”

   “Cephalic phase responses (CPRs) are conditioned anticipatory physiological responses to food cues. They occur before nutrient absorption and are hypothesized to be important for satiation and glucose homeostasis. Cephalic phase insulin responses (CPIRs) and pancreatic polypeptide responses (CPPPRs) are found consistently in animals, but human literature is inconclusive. We performed a systematic review of human studies to determine the magnitude and onset time of these CPRs.”

3. Of or relating to the head.
4. Toward the head; in bipeds such as humans, this direction corresponds to superior.
5. Headlike; cephaloid.

noun

1. (obsolete)A remedy that benefits the head or brain.

   “[…] recover their Sight […] by the use of Bleeding, Purging, Blistering and Cephalics.”

   “All that of this Form could be titled Stomachics, we have subjoin'd to this Division, because they are all of the Aromatic kind, and thereby claim equally to be Cephalics. The latter we have given, extend their Influences to the Head and whole nervous System, at the same time that they warm, comfort, and strengthen the Fibres of the Stomach, and dissipate Flatulencies, corrugate the Membranes, and promote Digestion: […]”