pericranial

Pericranial is an anatomical adjective relating to the pericranium, the tough membrane that covers the external surface of the skull. The pericranium is the periosteal layer of the cranial bones and forms the outer boundary of the calvaria.

In the scalp, the pericranium lies as the deepest layer, beneath the loose connective tissue and the galea aponeurotica, and superficial to the skull bones. It is continuous with the periosteum of facial bones through the cranial sutures and contributes vascularized tissue to wound healing and to the overlying soft tissues.

In clinical and surgical contexts, a pericranial flap or graft may be raised from the pericranium to provide vascularized coverage for dural repair, skull reconstruction, or complex scalp wounds. The tissue’s robust blood supply and pliability make it a useful option in neurosurgical and craniofacial procedures.

Pericranial pathology is rare but can involve inflammation or infection of the pericranial tissues and may impact healing after scalp injuries or surgery. See also: pericranium; cranium; scalp; galea aponeurotica; dura mater.