The bones of the skull are not joined together firmly at birth. The sutures gradually accumulate minerals and harden (this process is called ossification), firmly joining the skull bones together. In an infant, the spaces where sutures intersect but don't completely touch is called the "soft spot", a membrane covered area also called a fontanelle (fontanel or fonticulus). The fontanelles allow for growth of the skull during an infant's first year. When the spaces of the fontanelles are larger than normal underlying causes such as hydrocephalus may be suspected.
Review Date: 5/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.