Fontanelles and sutures of the infant skull

Content provided by Healthwise

Fontanelles and sutures of the infant skull

The skull consists of five thin, curved, bony plates that are held together by fibrous material called sutures. These sutures allow a baby's skull to expand with the growing brain. Usually, the area within a baby's skull doubles in the first 6 months of life and doubles again by age 2. Some sutures begin to close at about this time. After age 2, the skull and brain grow at a much slower rate.

The sutures ossify (gradually harden) to join the skull bones together. The spaces where sutures meet are called fontanelles. At birth, they are covered with a membrane (a thin layer of tissue), which are often called "soft spots." See an illustration of the sutures and fontanelles .

Babies born with certain conditions may have irregular fontanelles and sutures. For example, a baby born with congenital hydrocephalus may have wider sutures than normal, and the tissue covering the fontanelles may bulge.

Credits

Print Email SHARE

Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Mark G. Luciano, MD - Neurological Surgery
Last Updated	February 6, 2008

Print Email Twitter Facebook MySpace AIM More

Last updated:	February 06, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Mark G. Luciano, MD - Neurological Surgery
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.