Examine the fetal skeleton and skull (figs. 14.8 and 14.9). The skull is incompletely developed and the cranial bones are separated by fibrous membranes. These mem- branous areas are called as fontanels, or "soft spots." The fontanels close as the cranial bones grow together. The posterior and lateral fontanels usually close during the first year after birth, whereas the anterior fontanel may not close until the middle or end of the second year. What other features characterize the fetal skull?
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- The skull is incompletely developed. - Cranial bones are separated by fibrous membranes called fontanels. - Fontanels are also known as "soft spots." - The posterior and lateral fontanels usually close during the first year after birth. - The anterior fontanel Show more…
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Match the following bones of the skull to their description. Drag the terms on the left to the appropriate blanks on the right: parietal maxilla temporal occipital mandible frontal zygomatic forms the base and back of the skull anchors the upper row of teeth forms the cheekbones and portion of eye sockets forms the forehead lower jaw forms the upper left and right sides of the skull forms the left and right sides of the skull
Sri K.
Are the same skull bones seen in the adult also found in the fetal skull? How does this compare to the adult skull? 22. What is a fontanelle? What is its fate? What is the function of the fontanelles in the fetal skull? 23. Using the terms listed, identify each of the fontanelles shown on the fetal skull below: a. anterior fontanelle b. mastoid fontanelle c. posterior fontanelle d. sphenoidal fontanelle Parietal bone
Madhur L.
Soft spots or membranous joints called fontanelles in the fetal skull, allow the skull to be slightly compressed when in the birth canal. They also allow for continued brain growth during the later months of fetal development and early infancy. Eventually, these soft spots are replaced by immovable joints called sutures.
Adi S.
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