fontanelle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequencyTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “fontanelle” mean?
A soft, membranous gap between the cranial bones of an infant's skull.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A soft, membranous gap between the cranial bones of an infant's skull.
Any membrane-covered gap in a structure, sometimes used metaphorically for a vulnerable point in a system or argument.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in spelling and meaning. British English sometimes uses 'fontanelle' as the preferred spelling, while American English also accepts 'fontanel', but 'fontanelle' is standard in medical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
No significant connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialist in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fontanelle” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] fontanelleA fontanelle that [VERB PHRASE]to check the fontanelleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fontanelle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The skull bones gradually fontanelle (non-standard; no verb form exists).
American English
- The skull bones gradually fontanel (non-standard; no verb form exists).
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- The fontanelle area requires gentle care.
- A fontanelle examination is routine.
American English
- The fontanel area requires gentle care.
- A fontanel examination is routine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, paediatric, and biological texts and lectures.
Everyday
Used primarily by parents and healthcare professionals discussing infant health.
Technical
Core term in paediatrics, neonatology, and midwifery.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fontanelle”
- Misspelling as 'fontanel', 'fontanell'. Mispronouncing with stress on first syllable: /ˈfɒn.tə.nɛl/. Using it to refer to any soft spot on an adult.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'fontanelle' is the standard spelling in British English and in international medical terminology. The spelling 'fontanel' is an accepted American variant.
The posterior fontanelle usually closes by 2-3 months. The larger anterior fontanelle typically closes between 12 and 18 months of age.
No. Fontanelles are a feature of the developing infant skull. In adults, the skull bones are fused at sutures. Persistence of a large fontanelle in an adult would be a rare medical condition.
It is safe to gently touch a baby's fontanelle. The membrane is tough and protects the brain. Healthcare professionals routinely palpate it to check for normal development and signs of illness.
A soft, membranous gap between the cranial bones of an infant's skull.
Fontanelle is usually technical/medical in register.
Fontanelle: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɒn.təˈnɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɑːn.tənˈɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Soft as a fontanelle (very rare, poetic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny, soft FOUNTAIN (fontan-) in a baby's head that eventually closes up like a well (-elle).
Conceptual Metaphor
VULNERABILITY/OPENNESS IS A SOFT SPOT IN THE SKULL (e.g., 'the fontanelle in their defence').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary clinical significance of assessing a fontanelle?