The human skull is made up from several bones that are connected by tough fibrous tissue called sutures. These sutures give the skull some flexibility, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. Where several sutures meet, they create a fontanel. Fontanels make the skull flexible enough for the brain to grow. When a child is born, it will have several fontanels on the skull, but the ones on the back (posterior) and top (anterior) of its head are the most well-known. For many babies, only the larger anterior fontanel is open after birth. People refer to this fontanel as the soft spot. Sometimes, the smaller posterior fontanel is also open and may be felt at birth but soon closes. Over time, this flexibility becomes less necessary, so the fontanels close up, and sutures harden. The anterior fontanel should curve slightly inwards but remain relatively firm. It is not always visible, particularly under hair. In some cases, the dip may be very pronounced and noticeable.
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