Question

State what fontanels are, and explain their function. (p. 111)

Short answer

Answer: Fontanels are soft, flexible spots on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused together. They serve a crucial role in an infant's growth and development by allowing the brain and skull to expand and by facilitating the baby's passage through the birth canal. Fontanels also help healthcare providers monitor an infant's brain and skull growth and development. They gradually close as the child grows, with all fontanels typically being closed by 18 months of age.

Step-by-step solution

Define Fontanels

Fontanels are soft, flexible spots on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused together. In newborns, there are six fontanels in total: two at the top of the head (anterior and posterior), two on each side of the head (sphenoidal and mastoid), and two at the base of the skull (anterior and posterior).

Function of Fontanels: Growth and Development

The primary function of fontanels is to allow the brain and skull to grow and develop during the first years of a baby's life. Since the skull bones are not fused, they can expand as the brain increases in size. This flexibility is crucial for the rapid brain growth that occurs in infants, helping to prevent damage and protect the brain during this critical period of development.

Function of Fontanels: Birth

Fontanels also play a crucial role in the birthing process. As a baby passes through the birth canal, the fontanels enable the skull bones to compress and overlap slightly, allowing the baby's head to mold to the shape of the birth canal. This process, known as "molding," helps the baby to pass through the birth canal more easily and reduces the risk of injury to both the baby and the mother.

Function of Fontanels: Monitoring Growth and Development

Lastly, fontanels serve as an essential tool for healthcare providers to monitor the growth and development of an infant's brain and skull. By feeling and observing the fontanels, healthcare providers can assess whether the infant's skull is expanding appropriately and whether there are any underlying health conditions that may require further investigation or intervention.

Closure of Fontanels

As a child grows, the fontanels gradually close as the skull bones fuse together. The posterior fontanel typically closes within two to three months after birth, while the larger anterior fontanel takes longer, usually closing between 12 to 18 months of age. proper growth and development.