SKULL GROWTH AND ANATOMY Flashcards
what is a Synchondrosis?
a primary cartilaginous joint (mainly found in the developing skeleton)
- hyaline cartilage found between 2 bones
what is Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis?
the cartilaginous joint between the sphenoid and occipital bone at the base of the skull
when does the Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis close?
between 16-25 years old
what is an ossification centre?
the starting point for bone growth
what is the first ossification centre to appear?
the primary ossification centre
how many ossification centres does the occipital bone develop from?
6 centres
what age do the occipital bone ossification centres close?
fused by school age
what is a Fontanelle and why are they important?
membranous areas (soft spots) between bones where sutures interact - important as they allow bones to compress and overlap during birth
how many fontanelles are there in the skull? NAME THEM
6 in total
- 2x sphenoidal fontanelles
- 2x mastoid fontanelles
- anterior fontanelle
- posterior fontanelle
when does the anterior fontanelle close?
around 2 years old
when does the posterior fontanelle close?
between 1-3months
when do the 2x sphenoidal fontanelles close?
by around 6 months
what is the metopic suture?
connective tissue suture which separates the two halves of frontal bone of the skull
when does the metopic suture fuse?
around 9 months
what happens to the metopic suture at around 6 years old?
it disappears
