What is the medical term for a headache?

The term "cephalgia" or "cephalagia" is derived from Greek roots where "cephal-" refers to the head and "-algia" denotes pain. Therefore, cephalgia literally translates to head pain, which is the definition of a headache. This term is often used in medical settings to describe various types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

In contrast, the other options are not synonymous with headache. The term "cerebrospinal" is associated with the cerebrospinal fluid or the structures surrounding the brain and spinal cord, rather than specifically indicating pain in the head. "Hemiparesis" refers to weakness on one side of the body, often resulting from a stroke or neurological issue and does not denote headache. "Dysphasia" describes a language disorder affecting speech and understanding, again unrelated to headaches. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the concept that cephalgia is the proper medical term for headaches in clinical settings.