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fontanelle


infant skull
A space between the bony plates of an infant's skull, often called a "soft spot", due to an incomplete ossification of the cranial bones.

There are two fontanelles in a baby's skull. The anterior fontanelle, situated in the center front, is diamond-shaped and about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) across. The posterior fontanelle, situated towards the rear, is triangular and only about 6 millimeters across.

These spaces gradually close over as the infant's skull plates grow toward each other. The posterior fontanelle closes within about two months of birth, the anterior fontanelle within about 18 months. The seams between the bones do not completely fuse, however, until old age.


Related entry

human skeleton human skeleton


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   • ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY


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