This is the junction of the 2 parietal bones and the occipital bone. Doctors can assess if there is increased intracranial pressure by feeling the anterior fontanelle. 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. 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 brain is made up of three main parts, which are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. The 2 parietal bone plates meet at the sagittal suture. The brain is an organ made up of neural tissue. 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. The 2 frontal bone plates meet at the metopic suture.Ĭoronal suture. 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.

Brain outline