What is the functional significance of fontanelles When does the last fontanelle close?

What is the functional significance of fontanelles When does the last fontanelle close?

During birth, fontanelles enable the bony plates of the skull to flex, allowing the child’s head to pass through the birth canal. The ossification of the bones of the skull causes the anterior fontanelle to close over by 9 to 18 months. The sphenoidal and posterior fontanelles close during the first few months of life.

What are the clinical importance of fontanelles?

In addition to being the largest, the anterior fontanelle is also the most important clinically. [7] This structure offers insight into the newborn’s state of health, especially hydration and intracranial pressure status. A sunken fontanelle is primarily due to dehydration.

What are the Fontanels and why are they important?

What are fontanelles? Unlike adults, babies have skull bones that are not firmly joined together. The spaces between the skull bones are important as they allow the bones to move, and even overlap, when the baby passes through the birth canal. These spaces also allow room for the baby’s brain to grow.

What is the main function of the sutures of the fetal skull?

Sutures allow the bones to move during the birth process. They act like an expansion joint. This allows the bone to enlarge evenly as the brain grows and the skull expands. The result is a symmetrically shaped head.

What happens if posterior fontanelle doesn’t close?

If the soft spot stays big or doesn’t close after about a year, it is sometimes a sign of a genetic condition such as congenital hypothyroidism.

At what age do fontanelles close?

The posterior fontanelle usually closes by age 1 or 2 months. It may already be closed at birth. The anterior fontanelle usually closes sometime between 9 months and 18 months. The sutures and fontanelles are needed for the infant’s brain growth and development.

What are the two functions of fontanelles?

Functionally, the fontanels serve as spacers for the growth of neighboring skull bones and provide some flexibility to the fetal skull, allowing the skull to change shape as it passes through the birth canal and later permitting rapid growth of the brain during infancy.

How long does it take for the posterior fontanel to close?

2 months
The posterior fontanelle usually closes by age 1 or 2 months. It may already be closed at birth. The anterior fontanelle usually closes sometime between 9 months and 18 months.