•  
  •  

Skull Sutures and Bony Plates in Fetuses and Infants

Picture of skull sutures and bony plates in fetuses and infants

The skull consists of five thin, curved, bony plates that are held together by fibrous material called sutures. These sutures allow a baby's skull to expand with the growing brain. The sutures gradually harden to join the skull bones together. The spaces where sutures meet are called soft spots or fontanelles.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christian G. Zimmerman, MD, FACS, MBA - Neurological Surgery
Last Revised January 24, 2012

Last Revised: January 24, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Christian G. Zimmerman, MD, FACS, MBA - Neurological Surgery

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.