cerebriform

Cerebriform is an adjective used in medicine and anatomy to describe a surface, pattern, or structure that resembles the human brain in its convoluted appearance, typically with ridges (gyri) and grooves (sulci). The word derives from the Latin cerebrum (brain) and the suffix -form (in the shape of).

In histopathology and clinical medicine, the term is applied to describe both tissue surfaces and cellular morphology that show brain-like contours. For example, some cells may exhibit cerebriform nuclei, meaning the nuclear outline is lobulated and highly folded, a description that can be used in the evaluation of certain hematologic or cutaneous lymphoid conditions such as Sézary syndrome. In dermatology and medical genetics, cerebriform is used to characterize textures of skin lesions that have a brain-like, grooved surface.

A well-known use is in protean overgrowth disorders, where cerebriform connective tissue nevi are thick, wrinkled skin lesions with a gyriform surface. These nevi are considered a hallmark feature of Proteus syndrome and related mosaic overgrowth conditions, helping distinguish them from other cutaneous findings.

In summary, cerebriform denotes brain-like morphology and is applied across disciplines to describe surfaces, patterns, or cellular shapes that resemble cerebral convolutions. It is a descriptive term intended to convey a qualitative impression rather than a quantitative measure.