Päänympärysti

Päänympärysti is a Finnish term that translates to "head circumference" in English. It refers to the measurement of the distance around the widest part of a person's head. This measurement is typically taken by placing a flexible measuring tape around the forehead, just above the eyebrows, and continuing around the back of the head, passing over the most prominent part of the occipital bone.

Head circumference is a common measurement used in various contexts, most notably in pediatrics and obstetrics. In infants and young children, head circumference is a crucial indicator of brain growth and development. Regular measurements track the growth pattern and can help identify potential developmental issues such as microcephaly (abnormally small head) or macrocephaly (abnormally large head). These measurements are plotted on growth charts to compare a child's head circumference to that of other children of the same age and sex.

The measurement can also be relevant in adults. In some medical contexts, head circumference might be considered in relation to certain neurological conditions or for the fitting of protective gear such as helmets. While not as frequently monitored in adults as in infants, it remains a quantifiable anatomical measurement. The standard unit of measurement for head circumference is usually centimeters (cm) or inches.