A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
See also: Fontanelles - sunken
Alternative NamesSoft spot - bulging; Bulging fontanelles
ConsiderationsThe skull is made up of many bones, 7 in the skull itself and 14 in the facial area. They join together to form a solid, bony cavity that protects the brain and supports the structures of the head. The areas where the bones join together are called the sutures.
The bones are not joined together firmly at birth. This allows the head to pass through the birth canal. The sutures get minerals added to them over time and harden, firmly joining the skull bones together. This process is called ossification.
In an infant, the space where two sutures join forms a membrane-covered "soft spot" called a fontanelle (fontanel). The fontanelles allow for growth of the skull during an infant's first year.
There are normally several fontanelles on a newborn's skull, mainly at the top, back, and sides of the head. Like the sutures, fontanelles ossify over time and become closed, solid bony areas. The fontanelle in the back of the head (posterior fontanelle) usually closes by the time an infant is 1 - 2 months old. The fontanelle at the top of the head (anterior fontanelle) usually closes between 7 - 19 months.
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly curved inward to the touch. A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid builds up in the skull cavity or when pressure increases in the brain (increased intracranial pressure).
When the infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanelles may look like they are bulging, but they should return to normal when the infant is in a calm, head-up position.
Common CausesIf the fontanelle returns to normal appearance when the child is calm and head-up, it is not a truly bulging fontanelle.
Call your health care provider ifImmediate, emergency care is needed for any infant who has a truly bulging fontanelle, especially if it occurs along with fever or excess drowsiness.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider perform a physical examination and ask questions about the child's medical history, such as:
Diagnostic tests that may be done are:
A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
See also: Fontanelles - sunken
Alternative NamesSoft spot - bulging; Bulging fontanelles
ConsiderationsThe skull is made up of many bones, seven in the skull itself and 14 in the face area. They join together to form a solid, bony cavity that protects and supports the brain. The areas where the bones join together are called the sutures.
The bones are not joined together firmly at birth. This allows the head to change shape to help it pass through the birth canal. The sutures get minerals added to them over time and harden, firmly joining the skull bones together.
In an infant, the space where two sutures join forms a membrane-covered "soft spot" called a fontanelle (fontanel). The fontanelles allow for growth of the brain and skull during an infant's first year.
There are normally several fontanelles on a newborn's skull, mainly at the top, back, and sides of the head. Like the sutures, fontanelles harden over time and become closed, solid bony areas.
The fontanelles should feel firm and very slightly curved inward to the touch. A tense or bulging fontanelle occurs when fluid builds up in the brain or the brain swells, causing increased pressure inside the skull.
When the infant is crying, lying down, or vomiting, the fontanelles may look like they are bulging, but they should return to normal when the infant is in a calm, head-up position.
Common CausesIf the fontanelle returns to normal appearance when the child is calm and head-up, it is not a truly bulging fontanelle.
Call your health care provider ifImmediate, emergency care is needed for any infant who has a truly bulging fontanelle, especially if it occurs along with fever or excess drowsiness.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about the child's medical history, such as:
Diagnostic tests that may be done are:
ReferencesKinsman Sl, Johnston MV. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 592.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/24/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Fontanelles are usually made of wood in most instances. They are used to protect the keys and mechanisms on wind instruments.
The fontanelles.
They are called fontanelles.
Stared with bulging is when you stare at someone with bulging eyes.
FONTANELLES
frontanelles
Fontanelles or Fontanel (soft spots)
The cast of Hobgoblins - 1988 includes: Ken Abraham as Thug Tom Bartlett as Kevin Steven Boggs as Kyle Tony Cisero as Fontanelles--Drums Tamara Clatterbuck as Fantazia Cole Coonce as Fontanelles--Guitar Jeffrey Culver as McCreedy Patrick Dean Bostrom as Fontanelles--Guitar Billy Frank as Nick Kari French as Pixie Mark Hodson as Fontanelles--Bass Kevin Kildow as Dennis James Mayberry as Sergeant Parker Daran Norris as Club Scum M.C Kelley Palmer as Daphne Spit Spingola as Fontanelles--Vocal Paige Sullivan as Amy David Teague as Lowlife Duane Whitaker as Roadrash
Bulging Brides was created in 2008.
Yes, bulging is a real word. As in: He was so fat his belly was bulging over the top of his belt.
The duration of Bulging Brides is 1380.0 seconds.
A bulging anulus is not-quite-round ring. "Minimally bulging" means that the ring is nearly round. If that slight bulge is on the left side, then the ring is slightly bulging to the left of center.