Overview
The lecture introduces the fetal skull, focusing on the structure and function of the fontanelles—soft spots critical for skull expansion as the brain grows.
Fontanelles of the Fetal Skull
- Fontanelles are areas of connective tissue in the fetal skull.
- They allow skull expansion to accommodate the growing brain.
- Irregular or premature closure of fontanelles can lead to developmental issues.
- There are four main fontanelles: anterior, posterior, mastoid, and sphenoid.
Locations of Major Fontanelles
- The anterior fontanelle is located at the front (top) of the fetal skull.
- The posterior fontanelle is at the back of the fetal skull.
- The mastoid fontanelle is found on the lateral (side) aspect of the skull.
- The sphenoid fontanelle is also situated on the lateral side, near the sphenoid bone.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Fontanelle — a soft spot of connective tissue on a baby's skull that allows for growth and movement of the skull bones.
- Anterior fontanelle — the largest fontanelle, located at the top/front of the skull.
- Posterior fontanelle — located at the back of the skull.
- Mastoid fontanelle — fontanelle found on the side of the skull near the mastoid bone.
- Sphenoid fontanelle — fontanelle found on the side of the skull near the sphenoid bone.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the locations and names of the four main fontanelles for identification.
- Prepare for discussion on problems caused by irregular fontanelle closure in future lessons.