Showing Results for "fontanelle"

See Also:

• a variation of fontanel.

fontanelle

British  

/ ˌfɒntəˈnɛl /

noun

1. anatomy any of several soft membranous gaps between the bones of the skull in a fetus or infant

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Etymology

Origin of fontanelle

C16 (in the sense: hollow between muscles): from Old French fontanele , literally: a little spring, from fontaine _fountain

Explanation

A fontanelle is the soft spot on a baby's head where the skull bones haven't finished growing and fusing together. Even though the fontanelle seems delicate, it's actually quite sturdy and protective. The fontanelle allows a newborn baby's brain to continue growing, while the skull expands more slowly. It also means the bones of the skull can flex a bit when the baby is born — in other words, it can compress as it's squeezed through the birth canal without damaging the baby's head. As babies grow, the fontanelle begins to close. The Old French root of fontanelle, fontaine, means "hollow in the earth where a spring arises."

Example Sentences

Farther east and north, the National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings for areas near the towns of Griswold, Corning, Fontanelle and Guthrie Center, among others.

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2024

He gets around his house or down the streets of Fontanelle by maneuvering his motorized wheelchair with sips or puffs into a tube.

From Washington Times • Mar. 26, 2017

There are also some reminders of “House,” too, including Kal Penn, who played a protégé of Dr. House and here is cast as Detective Fontanelle White, a.k.a.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2015

In 1890 he won his Ph.D. with a thesis: Pineal Fontanelle of Placaderm and Catfish.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was cut with the Captain's own sword, and though there wasn't enough for the whole regiment, every one from Fontanelle had a bite, and Pierre and Pierrette each had a whole piece.

From The French Twins by Perkins, Lucy Fitch