3.5 The Growth of the Skull

Question 1

Is the Neonatal Skull fully Ossified?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

What are the benefits of the Neonatal Skull not being fully Ossified?

Answer 2

It means that it is less Rigid (more Flexible) which allows for:

1. Compression so easier passage during Childbirth
2. Rapid Growth of the Brain during
3. Less likely to Fracture the Skull in accidents (e.g. falls)

Question 3

What type of Occification occurs in the Flat bones, of the Vault of the Skull?

Answer 3

Intramembranous Occification

Question 4

What type of Occification occurs in the Irregular Bones, of the Base of the Skull?

Answer 4

Endochondrial Occification

Question 5

What are the Fontanelles?

Answer 5

Soft Membranous Gaps between the Cranial Bones

Question 6

What happens to the Fontanelles from the development from Foetal, to child, to Adult?

Answer 6

They Decrease in size until they fuse

Question 7

What are the Dentition?

Answer 7

The Teeth

Question 8

What happens to the Dentition from the development from Foetal, to child, to Adult?

Answer 8

Foetal - No Teeth, start to grow the Deciduous Teeth
Child - Lose Deciduous Teeth, start to grow the Permanent Teeth
Adult - Permanent Teeth (greater in number than the Deciduous Teeth)

Question 9

What happens to the Tympanic Membrane from the development from Foetal, to child, to Adult?

Answer 9

Decreases in thickness

Question 10

What happens to the Styloid / Mastoid Process from the development from Foetal, to child, to Adult?

Answer 10

These are not present in Neonates and so develop properly after Birth

Question 11

At what age does the Anterior Fontanelle fuse?

Answer 11

18 months

Question 12

At what age does the Posterior Fontanelle fuse?

Answer 12

12 months but is less predictable as it varies from child to child