fontanel

or fon·ta·nelle

[ fon-tn-el ]

noun

, Anatomy.

1. one of the spaces, covered by membrane, between the bones of the fetal or young skull.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fontanel¹

1375–1425; late Middle English fontinel < Middle French fontanele little spring, diminutive of fontaine fountain

Example Sentences

His fontanel, the soft spot on the top of his head, was flat — as it should be.

From New York Times

Her fontanel was sunken in, a telltale sign of dehydration, and her ribs and the small bones of her spine had been visible under her skin, like a string of beads.

From Literature

I was gobsmacked by my babies: their meaty beauty and smell, the doughy smoothness of their skin, the pulsing crater of fontanel.

From New York Times

I peeled one and rolled it all over the baby’s head, his eyes, his lips, off his bump of a nose, his cheeks, his dear bald head and fontanel.

From Literature

Once the fontanel grew over, however, the hat could be safely removed.

From Salon