SPHENOIDAL FONTANEL Meaning and
Definition
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Sphenoidal fontanel is a term used in anatomy to describe a specific soft spot or membranous area on the skull of newborns. It refers to the junction or gap where the sphenoidal and parietal bones meet, forming an opening on the skull's surface. The sphenoidal fontanel is one of the six primary fontanels found in infants and is located towards the front of the skull.
Fontanels are crucial in the development and growth of an infant's skull as they allow flexibility and easier passage during birth. They are made of fibrous tissue and become ossified or hardened over time as the bones of the skull fuse together. The sphenoidal fontanel, in particular, is relatively smaller than the anterior fontanel (also known as the "soft spot" on top of the baby's head) but larger than the posterior fontanel (situated at the back of the head).
Healthcare professionals often examine the fontanels to assess the development and overall well-being of a newborn. The sphenoidal fontanel can indicate hydration levels or potential abnormalities if it appears sunken or overly bulging. However, it is important to note that slight variations in the size and shape of fontanels are common among infants and can differ based on genetics, head shape, and other factors.
Common Misspellings for SPHENOIDAL FONTANEL
- aphenoidal fontanel
- zphenoidal fontanel
- xphenoidal fontanel
- dphenoidal fontanel
- ephenoidal fontanel
- wphenoidal fontanel
- sohenoidal fontanel
- slhenoidal fontanel
- s-henoidal fontanel
- s0henoidal fontanel
- spgenoidal fontanel
- spbenoidal fontanel
- spnenoidal fontanel
- spjenoidal fontanel
- spuenoidal fontanel
- spyenoidal fontanel
- sphwnoidal fontanel
- sphsnoidal fontanel
- sphdnoidal fontanel
Etymology of SPHENOIDAL FONTANEL
The word "Sphenoidal" is derived from the Greek word "sphenoeides", which means "wedge-shaped". It is a combination of "sphene" meaning "wedge" and "eidos" meaning "shape". The term "Sphenoidal" is related to the sphenoid bone, a large, complex bone situated at the base of the skull.
The word "Fontanel" comes from the Latin word "fontanella", which means "little fountain" or "little spring". It refers to the soft areas or spaces between the bones in the skull of infants and young children that allow for growth and flexibility.
Therefore, the term "Sphenoidal Fontanel" combines the word "Sphenoidal" to indicate its specific location near the sphenoid bone, and "Fontanel" to refer to the soft area or space in the skull structure.
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