Anterior fontanelle ossifies by: March 2007

Ans. D: 18 months The anterior fontanelle/ bregmatic fontanelle/frontal fontanelle is the largest, and is placed at the junction of the sagittal suture, coronal suture, and frontal suture; it measures about 4 cm in its antero-posterior and 2.5 cm in its transverse diameter. The fontanelle allows the skull to deform during bih to ease its passage through the bih canal and for expansion of the brain after bih. While the posterior and lateral fontanelles are obliterated by about six months after bih, the anterior is not completely closed until about the middle of the second year. Full ossification stas in the late twenties and finishes before the age of 50 A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration. A very tense or bulging anterior fontanelle indicates raised intracranial pressure.