Final answer:
Brachycephalic refers to animals with a short, wide skull due to a smaller jaw and facial size and a larger cranium, related to the subphylum Vertebrata and indicative of higher intellectual functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term “brachycephalic” refers to animals, including humans, that have a head shape characterized by a short and wide skull. This is seen when there has been a decrease in the size of the jaws and face, and an increase in the size of the cranium, resulting in a nearly vertical forehead. It indicates a certain type of cranial morphology within the subphylum Vertebrata (or Craniata), where the cranium plays an important role in housing and protecting the brain and sensory organs. The cranium is especially important since it is associated with organisms that possess higher intellectual functions, particularly due to the enlargement of the cerebrum. This should not be confused with the bronchus, which is part of the respiratory system, carrying air in the lungs and unrelated to cranial structure.