Anthony V D'Antoni1, Orin Imani Donaldson1, Cameron Schmidt2, Veronica Macchi3, Raffaele De Caro3, Rod J Oskouian4, Marios Loukas5, R Shane Tubbs6. 1. Department of Pathobiology, CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Program in Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA. 2. Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA. Cameronkurtschmidt@gmail.com. 3. Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli 65, 35127, Padova, Italy. 4. Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA. 5. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George's, West Indies, Grenada. 6. Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Fontanelles are a regular feature of infant development in which two segments of bone remain separated, leaving an area of fibrous membrane or a "soft spot" that acts to accommodate growth of the brain without compression by the skull. Of the six fontanelles in the human skull, the anterior fontanelle, located between the frontal and parietal bones, serves as an important anatomical diagnostic tool in the assessment of impairments of the skull and brain and allows access to the brain and ventricles in the infant. METHODS: Using a standard database search, we conducted a review of the anterior fontanelle, including its embryology, anatomy, pathology, and related surgical implications. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of the anterior fontanelle, through observation of its shape, size, and palpability, makes the area of significant clinical value. It is important that clinicians are aware of the features and associated pathologies of this area in their everyday practice.
PURPOSE: Fontanelles are a regular feature of infant development in which two segments of bone remain separated, leaving an area of fibrous membrane or a "soft spot" that acts to accommodate growth of the brain without compression by the skull. Of the six fontanelles in the human skull, the anterior fontanelle, located between the frontal and parietal bones, serves as an important anatomical diagnostic tool in the assessment of impairments of the skull and brain and allows access to the brain and ventricles in the infant. METHODS: Using a standard database search, we conducted a review of the anterior fontanelle, including its embryology, anatomy, pathology, and related surgical implications. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic value of the anterior fontanelle, through observation of its shape, size, and palpability, makes the area of significant clinical value. It is important that clinicians are aware of the features and associated pathologies of this area in their everyday practice.
Authors: E Vicenzini; P Pulitano; R Cicchetti; F Randi; P Papov; G Spadetta; G Sirimarco; M C Ricciardi; V Di Piero; G L Lenzi; O Mecarelli Journal: Eur Neurol Date: 2010-02-18 Impact factor: 1.710
Authors: J J Dechant; M P Mooney; G M Cooper; T D Smith; A M Burrows; H W Losken; I M Mathijssen; M I Siegel Journal: J Craniofac Genet Dev Biol Date: 1999 Apr-Jun