Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

craniocaudally

Adverb

ˌkreɪ.ni.oʊˈkɔː.dəl.i

Definition

In a direction from the head (cranial) to the tail (caudal) or from the front to the back of an organism.

Examples

The embryo develops craniocaudally as it grows.
In many vertebrates, the spinal cord elongates craniocaudally during early development.
The neural tube closes craniocaudally in the process of forming the central nervous system.

Meaning

The term craniocaudally is often used in anatomical and biological contexts to describe movement, orientation, or development that occurs in a straight line from the cranial end of an organism to the caudal end.