Skull Sutures and Bony Plates in Fetuses and Infants

Skull Sutures and Bony Plates in Fetuses and Infants

Picture of skull sutures and bony plates in fetuses and infants

The skull consists of five thin, curved, bony plates that are held together by fibrous material called sutures. These sutures allow a baby's skull to expand with the growing brain. The sutures gradually harden to join the skull bones together. The spaces where sutures meet are called soft spots or fontanelles.

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope MD - Pediatrics
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Christian G. Zimmerman MD, FACS, MBA - Neurological Surgery