Multiheaded

Multiheaded is an adjective used to describe an organism, object, or fictional being that has more than one head. The term derives from the Latin multi- meaning many and headed, with the Greek-rooted term polycephaly used in scientific contexts to specify the condition of multiple heads.

In biology and medicine, polycephaly can occur when developmental anomalies affect embryonic splitting, sometimes resulting in conjoined twins with two separate heads sharing a body. The human equivalent is dicephalia or dicephalic parapagus, where two heads are attached to a single torso. In animals, two-headed or multiheaded individuals are rare but documented; most do not survive long without care due to sharing vital systems. Some descriptions also use diprosopus to denote partial duplication of facial features rather than whole heads.

In mythology and popular culture, multiheaded beings are common motifs. Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Greek Underworld, and the Hydra, a many-headed serpent, appear across ancient myths. In modern fantasy literature, film, and games, multiheaded monsters often symbolize danger, resilience, or complexity. The concept is also used metaphorically to describe organizations or projects with many competing leaders or authorities.

Although the term is descriptive rather than technical, polycephaly and related terms provide precise classifications in anatomy and comparative biology. Instances of multiheaded forms are important for understanding developmental biology and the challenges faced by such organisms.