the skull itself contains 22 bones
generally the skull should be fused by 18 months but NOT before, if it fuses before this it risks serious increases in intracranial pressure th epicture below shows a newborn’s skull
the ‘Anterior fontanelle’ is a membrane made of fibrous connective tissue
The soft, flexible tissue that allows the skull to remain flexible and accommodate brain growth during early development. This fibrous tissue also protects the brain while the skull bones (frontal and parietal) gradually grow together.
the flexibility is so important due to the rapid growth of the brain, if there is a DIP in the anterior fontanelle it can suggest that the baby has become dehydrated
if there is a RAISED bit in the anterior fontanelle it would suggest increased intracranial pressure
doctors often compare the size of it to age which determines if it is closing at the correct length of time or not.