fontanel

fontanel /fon·ta·nel/ (fon″tah-nel´) fontanelle.

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fon·ta·nel or fon·ta·nelle (fnt-nl) n. Any of the soft membranous gaps between the incompletely formed cranial bones of a fetus or infant. Also called soft spot.

fontanel anterior and posterior fontanels

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Fontanel

One of the membranous intervals between the uncompleted angles of the parietal and neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull; so called because it exhibits a rhythmical pulsation.

Mentioned in: Battered Child Syndrome, Peroxisomal Disorders

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fontanel

[fon′tənel′]

Etymology: Fr, fontaine, fountain

a space covered by tough membranes between the bones of an infant's cranium. The anterior fontanel, roughly diamond-shaped, usually closes between the ages of 12 and 18 months. The posterior fontanel, triangular in shape, closes about 2 to 3 months after birth. Increase in intracranial pressure may cause a fontanel to become tense or bulge, as evidenced in infection such as meningitis. A fontanel may be soft and depressed as a result of dehydration. Also spelled fontanelle, fonticulus.

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fontanelle [fon″tah-nel´]

one of the membrane-covered spaces remaining at the junction of the sutures in the incompletely ossified skull of the fetus or infant. Actually there are two soft spots close together, representing gaps in the bone structure which will be filled in by bone during the normal process of growth. The anterior fontanelle is diamond shaped and lies at the junction of the frontal and parietal bones. This fontanelle usually fills in and closes between the eighth and fifteenth months of life. The posterior fontanelle lies at the junction of the occipital and parietal bones, is triangular in shape, and usually closes by the third or fourth month of life. Though these “soft spots” may appear very vulnerable, they may be touched gently without harm. Care should be exercised that they be protected from strong pressure or direct injury.

Fontanelles. From Jarvis, 2000.

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fontanel (fôn·t·nel),

n the membrane-covered area between an infant's cranial bones before they close. The anterior fontanel usually closes at 14 months of age while the posterior fontanel closes 2 months after birth. There can be a significant bulge in the fontanel during some infections, such as meningitis. Also called
fontanelle or
fonticulus.

Fontanel.

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fontanelle, fontanel

a soft spot; skin and membrane-covered spaces remaining at the junction of the sutures, especially between the frontal and parietal bones in the incompletely covered skull of the fetus or neonate. This fontanelle usually closes after birth but in hydrocephalus and in some miniature breeds of dogs, particularly Chihuahuas, it may remain open. Called also fonticulus, molera.

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fontanel

Fontanelle, soft spot Anatomy A membrane-covered region on the skull of a fetus/infant, which corresponds to the convergence of suture lines, where ossification has not yet occurred