Fontanelles

Definition

Fontanelles are soft spots on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused together, allowing for flexibility during childbirth and growth of the brain. These gaps are covered by tough membranes to protect the underlying soft tissues and brain.

Related terms

Sutures:

Fibrous joints between the bones of the skull that eventually fuse together as a child grows, forming a rigid protective structure for the brain.

Cranial bones: The individual bones that make up the skull's dome, protecting the brain; these include the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal bones.

Fibrous joints: A type of joint where bones are joined by dense fibrous connective tissue, usually found where very little movement is needed