1. Soft spots on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused together, allowing the head to compress during birth and the brain to grow.
Usage: Plural of fontanelle; Also spelled fontanel; Anatomy term commonly used in pediatrics and child development

Examples

• A newborn typically has two main fontanelles: the anterior and posterior.
• The anterior fontanelle usually closes between 12 and 18 months of age.
• Doctors check the fontanelles during infant examinations to monitor brain growth and development.
• A bulging fontanelle can sometimes indicate increased pressure inside the skull.
• The fontanelles allow the baby's head to mold slightly during delivery.
• Parents are often advised to be gentle when touching the fontanelles, though they are tougher than they appear.