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Fontanel: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ถ
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fontanel

 

[ หˆfษ’ntษ™หŒnษ›l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

anatomy, infants

A fontanel, also known as a fontanelle, is a soft spot found on the skull of an infant. These are areas where the cranial bones have not yet fused together, providing flexibility during birth and allowing for rapid brain growth in early life. Fontanels play a crucial role in the development of the skull and brain, and they typically close as the child grows, usually by age 18 months. The most well-known fontanels are located at the top and back of the head.

Synonyms

fontanelle, soft spot

Examples of usage

  • The doctor checked the baby's fontanel to ensure it was closing properly.
  • Fontanels allow for expansion as the baby's brain grows.
  • Careful monitoring of the fontanel can indicate hydration levels.

Translations

Translations of the word "fontanel" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fontanela

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเฅ‰เคจเฅเคŸเฅ‡เคจเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Fontanelle

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ fontanel

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั„ะพะฝั‚ะฐะฝะตะปัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fontanela

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ•ใ‚ฉใƒณใƒˆใƒใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท fontanelle

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ fontanela

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fontanel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํฐํƒ€๋„ฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุฎุทูˆุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fontanela

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ fontanela

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ›Ÿ้—จ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ fontanela

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fontanel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั„ะพะฝั‚ะฐะฝะตะปัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒแƒœแƒขแƒแƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fontanel

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ fontanela

Etymology

The term 'fontanel' originates from the Middle French word 'fontanelle', a diminutive form of 'fontaine', which means 'fountain'. This name is derived from the Latin word 'fontana', meaning 'spring' or 'well'. The connection to 'fountain' suggests the idea of a natural source of life or fluidity, reflecting the soft and pliable nature of these areas in an infant's skull. The use of the word in the context of anatomy can be traced back to the early studies of human development and anatomy, focusing on the unique characteristics of infants' skulls. Fontanels are critical in the first stages of life, allowing for both the passage through the birth canal and for further growth as the child develops. Over time, the importance of fontanels in understanding pediatric health has led to increased focus and research in the fields of pediatrics and neurology.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,709, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.