Fontanelle (Noun)
Meaning
Any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The pediatrician gently palpated the fontanelle on the infant's head to check for any signs of increased intracranial pressure.
- During fetal development, the fontanelle allows for flexibility and compression of the skull as it passes through the birth canal.
- A large fontanelle can be a normal finding in some infants, but it can also be an indication of a congenital abnormality.
- The fontanelle typically closes by the time the child reaches 12 to 18 months of age, but it can remain open in some cases.
- Measurement of the fontanelle is an important aspect of neonatal assessment, as it can provide clues to the presence of underlying neurological conditions.