fontanelle
Infant's soft spot
A fontanelle is one of the soft spots on an infant's skull where the bones haven't yet fused, allowing the head to compress during birth and the brain to grow afterward.
The largest, at the top of the head, typically closes by age two.
Also spelled fontanel.
Skull bone structure
- sutureMedical wound closure
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- coronalCirclet or wreath
- sagittalArrow-shaped or arrow-directional
parietal · frontal · occipital · calvaria · skull · cranial · bone · fenestra
Infant under 28 days
- infantVery young child
- babyVery young child
- colostrumInitial postpartum milk
- vernixProtective fetal skin coating
lanugo · meconium · swaddle · nursing · caul · cowl · birth · delivery
Conversion to bone tissue
- closureSense of emotional resolution
- fusionJoining into unity
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- hardeningBecoming less soft
maturation · solidification · strengthening · growth · timeline · milestones
Medical examination by touch
- bulgingSwelling outward visibly
- sunkenDescended beneath water level
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
meningitis · hydrocephalus · pediatrics · neonatology · examination · assessment · diagnosis · molding
Gentle, caring quality
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- fragilityEase of breaking
- protectionGuarding against harm
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
care · sensitivity · caution · cradling · support · guarding · cushioning
cranium
Skull bone structure
sagittal · parietal · frontal · occipital · calvaria · skull · cranial · bone · fenestra · skullcap
neonate
Infant under 28 days
vernix · lanugo · meconium · swaddle · nursing · caul · cowl · birth · delivery · NICU
ossification
Conversion to bone tissue
- closureSense of emotional resolution
- fusionJoining into unity
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
hardening · maturation · solidification · strengthening · growth · timeline · milestones
palpation
Medical examination by touch
- bulgingSwelling outward visibly
- sunkenDescended beneath water level
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
dehydration · meningitis · hydrocephalus · pediatrics · neonatology · examination · assessment · diagnosis · molding · imaging
tenderness
Gentle, caring quality
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- fragilityEase of breaking
- protectionGuarding against harm
gentleness · care · sensitivity · caution · cradling · support · guarding · cushioning
- baby carebottles, bottle feeding, pacifiers, cribs, baby oil
- child developmentbaby, toddler, newborn, infancy, milestones
- infant carepediatrician, checkups, immunizations, vaccinations, breastfeeding
- baby traitsbaby fat, baby teeth, chubby cheeks, big eyes, button nose
- childbirth anatomyuterus, womb, placenta, umbilical cord, cervix
- newborn healthApgar score, birth weight, head circumference, newborn screening, jaundice