Fontanelle
Topic: Pediatrics
A soft, membrane-covered gap between an infant's skull bones. The posterior fontanelle usually closes by about 2 months and the anterior between 12 and 18 months. A sunken anterior fontanelle in a calm infant suggests dehydration; a tense, bulging one suggests raised intracranial pressure. Palpate it with the infant upright and quiet.
- Also known as:
- Fontanel, Soft spot
- In Turkish:
- Fontanel
What does Fontanelle mean?
Fontanelle is part of the Pediatrics topic in nursing. Students meet it in class, on clinical placements and while preparing for exams.
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