Definition of the word scalp

The origin of the word "scalp" is fascinating! The term "scalp" comes from the Old Norse word "skalp," which means "helmet" or "armor." This Norse word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*skalpan," which is also the source of the Modern English word "shell." During the Viking Age, a scalp was a type of armor or helmet worn by warriors. Over time, the term "scalp" evolved to refer to the hairy crown of the head, possibly due to the resemblance between the texture of hair and the armor plating. In medical contexts, the term "scalp" eventually came to refer to the skin and underlying tissues on the top of the head, as well as the action of scraping or removing those tissues, such as in the removal of a patient's hair during a medical procedure. Today, the word "scalp" is widely used in both medical and everyday contexts.