fontanels
Infant cranial openings
Fontanels are the soft spots on an infant's skull where the bones have not yet fused.
These membrane-covered gaps allow the skull to compress during birth and accommodate rapid brain growth.
The anterior fontanel, at the top of the head, is the largest and most noticeable: The doctor checked the baby's fontanel.
Fontanels typically close within the first two years of life.
Also spelled fontanelles.
Head's bone casing
- suturesMedical wound closures
- craniumSkull bone structure
- parietalOf the skull wall
- frontalOf the fore side
occipital · temporal · calvaria · coronal · sagittal · anterior · posterior · mastoid
Infant just delivered
pediatrics · soft spot · birth · crown · palpation · bulging · sunken · pulsing
Sense of emotional resolution
- fusionJoining into unity
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- mineralizationConversion to mineral form
osteoblasts · bone formation · maturation · collagen · development · timing · delayed · premature
Swelling outward visibly
- sunkenDescended beneath water level
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- hydrocephalusAbnormal cranial fluid buildup
diagnosis · examination · palpation · pediatrician · assessment · symptom · tension · flat
Easily broken or harmed
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- protectionGuarding against harm
- gentleSoft and kind
- carefulExercising caution and attention
soft · sensitivity · shielding · safeguarding · caution · tenderness · handling · support
skull
Head's bone casing
frontal · occipital · temporal · calvaria · coronal · sagittal · anterior · posterior · mastoid · vertex
newborn
Infant just delivered
head · pediatrics · soft spot · birth · crown · palpation · bulging · sunken · pulsing · examination
closure
Sense of emotional resolution
- fusionJoining into unity
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
mineralization · osteoblasts · bone formation · maturation · collagen · development · timing · delayed · premature · complete
bulging
Swelling outward visibly
- sunkenDescended beneath water level
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
hydrocephalus · diagnosis · examination · palpation · pediatrician · assessment · symptom · tension · flat · depressed
delicate
Easily broken or harmed
- fragileEasily broken or damaged
- protectionGuarding against harm
- gentleSoft and kind
careful · soft · sensitivity · shielding · safeguarding · caution · tenderness · handling · support · cushioning