The posterior fontanelle usually closes first, before the anterior fontanelle, during the first several months of an infant's life.

The nasal cavity is formed by the vomer and the nasal, lachrymal, and turbinate bones. This is the junction of the 2 parietal bones and the occipital bone. The facial area includes the zygomatic, or malar, bones (cheekbones), which join with the temporal and maxillary bones to form the zygomatic arch below the eye socket the palatine bone and the maxillary, or upper jaw, bones. There are different types of bones in a human skeleton, such as frontal, parietal, occipital, clavicle, and several others which make up the human body. Skull is categorized into two main segments i. Doctors can assess if there is increased intracranial pressure by feeling the anterior fontanelle. Skull is known for protecting the brain and for supporting the other tissues of the head. The anterior fontanelle remains soft until about 18 months to 2 years of age. This is the junction where the 2 frontal and 2 parietal bones meet. The human cranium, which houses and protects the brain, is composed of six major bones: the ethmoid, frontal, occipital, parietal, sphenoid and temporal. There are 2 fontanelles (the space between the bones of an infant's skull where the sutures intersect) that are covered by tough membranes that protect the underlying soft tissues and brain. The fontanelles include:Īnterior fontanelle (also called soft spot). This results in an abnormal head shape (craniosynostosis). This may force growth to happen in another area or direction.

If any of the sutures close too early (fuse prematurely), there may be no growth in that area. Each parietal bone plate meets the occipital bone plate at the lambdoid suture. This extends across the back of the head. The 2 parietal bone plates meet at the sagittal suture. This extends from the front of the head to the back, down the middle of the top of the head. Each frontal bone plate meets with a parietal bone plate at the coronal suture. When done by region, the skull is classified by its two main parts: the cranium and the mandible. The 2 frontal bone plates meet at the metopic suture.Ĭoronal suture. The skull bones are categorized into regional and development bones. This extends from the top of the head down the middle of the forehead, toward the nose. The major sutures of the skull include the following: One suture in the middle of the skull extends from the front of the head to the back. Some sutures extend to the forehead, while others extend to the sides and back of the skull. The result is a symmetrically shaped head. This allows the bone to enlarge evenly as the brain grows and the skull expands. Sutures allow the bones to move during the birth process. These bony plates cover the brain and are held together by fibrous material called sutures. The major bones that compose the skull of a newborn include the following:

Although the skull appears to be 1 large bone, there are actually several major bones that are connected together.

Skull bone names