Fetal Skull

Question 1

What is Caput Succedaneum?

Answer 1

Swelling of soft tissue between skin and bone. Crosses suture lines. Appears during birth. Goes in a few days.

Question 2

What is Cephalhaematoma?

Answer 2

Small bleeding underneath the bone following traumatic birth (not dangerous for the baby). Does not cross suture lines. Appears after birth. Takes a few weeks to go.

Question 3

When does posterior fontanelle close?

Answer 3

By 6 weeks.

3 bones, 3 suture lines, triangular shape

Question 4

When does anterior fontanelle close?

Answer 4

By 18 months.
(4 bones, 4 suture lines, kite shape)
Also called bregma

Question 5

What are the longitudinal diameters of fatal skull?

Answer 5

SOB-sub-occipitobregmatic 9.5 vertex flexed
SOF- sub-occipitofrontal 10 v. partially flexed
OF - occipitofrontal 11.5 v. deflexed
MV - mentovertical 13.5 brow
SMV- sub-mentovertical 11.5 face
SMB-sub-mentobregmatic 9.5 face extended

Question 6

How many bones are in fatal scull?

What are the sutures between them?

Answer 6

5 bones - 2 Frontal, 2 Parietal, 1 Occipital
4 sutures:
Frontal (between Frontal bones)
Saggital (between Parietal bones)
Coronal (between Frontal and Parietal)
Lambdoidal (between Parietal and Occipital)

Frontal, Saggital and Coronal form Anterior Fontanelle (Bregma).
Saggital and Lambdoidal form Posterior Fontanelle (Lambda).

Question 7

What are the transverse diameters of fatal skull?

Answer 7

Biparietal - 9.5

Bitemporal 8.2