title: A comprehensive review of the anterior fontanelle: embryology, anatomy, and clinical considerations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fontanelles are a regular feature of infant development in which two segments of bone remain separated, leaving an area of fibrous membrane or a "soft spot" that acts to accommodate growth of the brain without compression by the skull. Of the six fontanelles in the human skull, the anterior fontanelle, located between the frontal and parietal bones, serves as an important anatomical diagnostic tool in the assessment of impairments of the skull and brain and allows access to the brain and ventricles in the infant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a standard database search, we conducted a review of the anterior fontanelle, including its embryology, anatomy, pathology, and related surgical implications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic value of the anterior fontanelle, through observation of its shape, size, and palpability, makes the area of significant clinical value. It is important that clinicians are aware of the features and associated pathologies of this area in their everyday practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Program in Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: D'Antoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Program in Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA.
authors.forename: Orin Imani
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA. Cameronkurtschmidt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2356-846X
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli 65, 35127, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Macchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli 65, 35127, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caro
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George's, West Indies, Grenada.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shane Tubbs
mesh_terms: D055762:Cranial Fontanelles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000601:surgery; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn
keywords: Cranial calvaria; Skull; Soft spot; Suture