That portion of the cerebrospinal axis contained within the cranium, composed of the prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon. [G. enkephalos, brain, fr. en, in, + kephale, head]
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en·ceph·a·lon (en-sefґə-lon) [L., from Gr. enkephalos, from en- in + kephalē head] [TA] the brain: that part of the central nervous system contained within the cranium, comprising the prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon; it is derived (developed) from the anterior part of the embryonic neural tube. See Plate 9. See also cerebrum.Medical dictionary. 2011.