Definitions for: Fontanel


[n] any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus



Webster (1913) Definition: Fon"ta*nel`, n. [F. fontanelle, prop., a little
fountain, fr. fontaine fountain. See Fountain.]
1. (Med.) An issue or artificial ulcer for the discharge of
humors from the body.[Obs.] --Wiseman.

2. (Anat.) One of the membranous intervals between the
incompleted angles of the parietal and neighboring bones
of a fetal or young skull; -- so called because it
exhibits a rhythmical pulsation.

Note: In the human fetus there are six fontanels, of which
the anterior, or bregmatic, situated at the junction of
the coronal and sagittal sutures, is much the largest,
and remains open a considerable time after birth.

Synonyms: fontanelle, soft spot

See Also: anterior fontanelle, braincase, brainpan, child's body, cranium, opening, orifice, porta, sphenoid fontanel, sphenoid fontanelle, sphenoidal fontanel, sphenoidal fontanelle

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