The counterpart of "facial" for head

Question

We have the adjective "facial" for the noun "face", and I am wondering what the counterpart for the noun "head" is. I could not find it on Google, and ChatGPT told me "cranial" which seems a bit different from what I expected.

Thank @Stuart F for the comment! My original thought was to make a joke on myself who can have some kind of "head expressions" (corresponding to "facial expressions") because I am a bit bald.

And I am also happy to see that the vocabulary can be different in different contexts!

Answer 1

Cranial can be correct.

Your attendant will apply the facial cream and give you a cranial massage.

To use capital in that case would not be correct.

• Cranium is anatomical

  Those bones which enclose the brain (as distinguished from those of the face and jaws); the brain-case, brain-pan, skull — OED]

• Capital generally involves loss of the head

  Involving loss of the head or life. Of an offence, crime, etc.: punishable by death; incurring the death penalty — OED

• Cephalic has a specific biological sense (as opposed to purely anatomical) and tends to be used in combining forms with that meaning

  Of or pertaining to the head, situated in the head; of the nature of a head. Physiology and Biology – OED

  Forming adjectives relating to a head or heads (in various senses) or skull, as cynocephalic, adj., microcephalic, adj., polycephalic, adj. — ibid

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Afterthought: If you used capital in "...and give you a capital massage," it would actually change the meaning completely to OED II.6.f (paywalled)

Excellent, outstanding, first-rate. Frequently as an exclamation of approval. Now somewhat dated.

Answer 2

In everyday language, the word head is often used as an attributive noun:

The masseur will apply the facial cream and give you a head rub.

Miss D. is waiting for her head transplant, so she has priority over Miss M., who merely needs a face transplant.

In more formal or academic or literary language, you could use capital, cephalic:

Marie Antoinette was not in favour of capital punishment.

Tricephalic people are superior to unicapitals.