Anterior fontanelle
Anterior Fontanelle
The Anterior Fontanelle (pronounced: an-TEER-ee-or fon-tuh-NEL) is a significant anatomical feature in the human skull of a newborn or young infant.
Etymology
The term 'Anterior Fontanelle' is derived from the Latin words 'anterior' meaning 'before' and 'fontanella' meaning 'little fountain'. The term 'fontanelle' is used to describe the soft spot on a baby's head which pulsates, giving the impression of a bubbling fountain.
Definition
The Anterior Fontanelle is the largest soft spot on an infant's head, located at the junction of the frontal and parietal bones. It is diamond-shaped and allows for rapid growth of the brain during the first year of life.
Related Terms
- Posterior Fontanelle: The smaller soft spot at the back of a newborn's skull.
- Cranial sutures: The fibrous joints connecting the bones of the skull.
- Craniosynostosis: A condition where one or more of the cranial sutures close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth.
- Hydrocephalus: A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain, which can cause the fontanelles to bulge.
Clinical Significance
The Anterior Fontanelle is an important clinical marker in pediatric examinations. It typically closes between 9 and 18 months of age. Delayed closure, bulging, or sunken fontanelles can indicate various medical conditions, such as dehydration, hydrocephalus, or intracranial pressure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anterior fontanelle
- Wikipedia's article - Anterior fontanelle
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski