ANTERIOR FONTANELLE Meaning and
Definition
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The anterior fontanelle, also referred to as the bregmatic fontanelle, is a soft spot situated on the top of a newborn baby's head. It is a membrane-covered gap where the skull bones, known as the frontal and the parietal bones, have not yet fully fused together. The anterior fontanelle is the largest fontanelle present in infants and is conveniently located at the intersection between the frontal and two parietal bones.
During childbirth, the anterior fontanelle allows flexibility to the skull, enabling the baby's head to pass through the birth canal more easily. This soft spot gradually and naturally closes as the infant grows and the skull bones fuse together, usually by the time the baby reaches 18 to 24 months old.
Monitoring the anterior fontanelle is essential for healthcare professionals as it can provide valuable insights into the overall health and well-being of the baby. Its size, tension, and pulsations can be observed to assess hydration levels, intracranial pressure, and potential abnormalities. The anterior fontanelle is considered a vital anatomical landmark and an important indicator of neurological development during infancy and early childhood.
In summary, the anterior fontanelle is a membranous gap on the top of a newborn baby's head that allows flexibility in the skull bones during childbirth. It gradually closes as the baby grows, serving as a significant reference point for health assessment in infants.
Common Misspellings for ANTERIOR FONTANELLE
- znterior fontanelle
- snterior fontanelle
- wnterior fontanelle
- qnterior fontanelle
- abterior fontanelle
- amterior fontanelle
- ajterior fontanelle
- ahterior fontanelle
- anrerior fontanelle
- anferior fontanelle
- angerior fontanelle
- anyerior fontanelle
- an6erior fontanelle
- an5erior fontanelle
- antwrior fontanelle
- antsrior fontanelle
- antdrior fontanelle
- antrrior fontanelle
- ant4rior fontanelle
Etymology of ANTERIOR FONTANELLE
The word "anterior fontanelle" originates from Latin and Greek.
1. "Anterior" comes from Latin, derived from the word "ante" meaning "before" or "in front of". It is often used to describe something located in the front or frontward position.
2. "Fontanelle" comes from the Latin word "fonticulus", which means "small fountain". In anatomy, a fontanelle refers to a soft spot on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused. It resembles a small, flexible membrane or an opening.
Therefore, the term "anterior fontanelle" is used to describe the soft spot at the front of a baby's skull, where the bones have not yet fully closed.
Similar spelling word for ANTERIOR FONTANELLE
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