Fontanel definition

fŏntə-nĕl

Any of the soft membranous gaps between the incompletely formed cranial bones of a fetus or an infant.

noun

(obs.) An opening in the body for the discharge of secretions.

noun

Any of the soft, boneless areas in the skull of a baby or young animal, which are later closed up by the formation of bone.

noun

Any of the soft membranous gaps between the incompletely formed cranial bones of a fetus or an infant.

noun

Alternative spelling of fontanelle.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

fontanel

Plural:

fontanels

Middle English fontinel from Old French fontanele diminutive of fontaine fountain fountain

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition