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Posterior fontanelle

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

There are two fontanelles in children, both of which can be felt at birth.

The anterior fontanelle is the larger of the two, is diamond shaped, and is at the frontal end of the sagital suture.

The posterior fontanelle is smaller, triangular, and at the occipital end of the sagital suture.

Both fontanelles usually close in the first year of life; closure is said to be delayed if they are open after two years.


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