头盖骨,颅骨
该词直接借自拉丁语 crānium,而拉丁语又源自希腊语 krānion(头颅)。其词根清晰地指向“头颅”这一核心概念,后缀-um则赋予其作为解剖学名词的实物属性。词义从古希腊的“头颅”自然演变为现代解剖学中特指保护大脑的“颅骨”。
“The bullet penetrated his cranium, causing severe brain damage.”
子弹穿透了他的颅骨,造成了严重的脑损伤。
“This fossil shows a remarkably well-preserved hominid cranium.”
这块化石展示了一个保存极为完好的原始人类颅骨。
“The doctor explained that the fracture was located at the base of the cranium.”
医生解释说骨折位于颅底。