sphenoid fontanelle
- noun
- /ˈsfɛnɔɪd ˌfɒntəˈnɛl/
- Specialized
:
fontanela esfenoidal
- During the first few months after birth, the sphenoid fontanelle can be felt as a soft area on the infant's skull.
Examples
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The doctor examined the sphenoid fontanelle to check for proper development of the baby's skull bones.
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As the child matured, the sphenoid fontanelle gradually closed and became the pterion in the adult skull.
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The baby's sphenoid fontanelle is a crucial area for skull development.
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Pediatricians often examine the sphenoid fontanelle during check-ups.
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During routine check-ups, the pediatrician gently palpated the sphenoid fontanelle to assess the infant's skull growth.
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As the infant grows, the sphenoid fontanelle serves as an important indicator of cranial development.
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Parents are often advised to monitor the sphenoid fontanelle for any abnormalities during the baby's early months.
Synonyms
2
9.2
A soft spot on a baby's head where the skull bones do not yet meet
2
6.1
A soft area on a baby's head where the skull bones have not joined
1
9.6
A soft spot on a baby's head where the skull bones are not yet joined
The soft spot on the side of a baby's head where several skull bones meet
Soft spot near the temple on a baby's head where several skull bones meet
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a compositional compound where 'sphenoid' specifies which 'fontanelle' is meant—the soft spot associated with the sphenoid bone. A learner who knows both constituent meanings can reasonably infer it refers to the soft area of an infant's skull related to the sphenoid bone, so the meaning is transparent.
Etymology
Sphenoid fontanelle is a small, soft area on a baby's skull where the bones fit together like puzzle pieces; sphenoid is the nearby bone and fontanelle means a 'soft spot'. When this area hardens and the bones join, it becomes the adult 'pterion', so the name points to that exact meeting place on the head.