How Do You Spell FONTICULUS?

Pronunciation: [fəntˈɪkjʊləs] (IPA)

Fonticulus is a Latin word that means "small fountain." It is spelled /fɒnˈtɪkjʊləs/ which can be broken down into its individual sounds. The first sound is /f/, which is a voiceless labiodental fricative, followed by /ɒ/ which is a low back vowel. The next sound is /n/, a voiced alveolar nasal. The following syllable has /ˈtɪk/, which is made up of a voiceless alveolar plosive and an unstressed vowel. The final syllable has /jʊləs/ which consists of a voiced palatal approximant and an unstressed vowel.

FONTICULUS Meaning and Definition

1. The term "fonticulus" refers to a small, anatomical opening or gap that is present in the bones of an infant's skull, specifically the junction where the sutures (fibrous joints) meet. Also known as a "cranial fontanelle," the fonticulus is characterized by a soft spot on the skull's surface where the bones have not completely fused together, leaving a flexible area of membrane instead.

   Typically, there are multiple fonticuli in an infant's skull, serving as vital anatomical features during the developmental stage. The two most prominent and commonly referenced fonticuli are the anterior fontanelle and the posterior fontanelle. The anterior fontanelle is located toward the front of the head, at the intersection of the frontal and parietal bones, while the posterior fontanelle is positioned at the back, between the parietal and occipital bones.

   These fonticuli play crucial roles during childbirth and early infancy. The flexibility of fonticuli allows for the passage of the infant's head through the birth canal, facilitating a smoother delivery process. Furthermore, these areas accommodate rapid brain growth, providing the brain with the necessary space for expansion and development.

   Over time, as the infant grows, the fonticuli naturally close as the bones solidify and fuse together. The anterior fontanelle generally closes between the ages of 9 and 18 months, while the posterior fontanelle typically closes within a few months after birth. The closure of fonticuli marks an important milestone in an infant's development, indicating the progression towards a fully formed skull structure.

2. Fontanel.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. A small ulcer, artificially produced, for the discharge of humors from the body.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for FONTICULUS

• donticulus
• conticulus
• vonticulus
• gonticulus
• tonticulus
• ronticulus
• finticulus
• fknticulus
• flnticulus
• fpnticulus
• f0nticulus
• f9nticulus
• fobticulus
• fomticulus
• fojticulus
• fohticulus
• fonriculus
• fonficulus
• fongiculus
• fonyiculus

Etymology of FONTICULUS

The word "fonticulus" comes from Latin. It is derived from the noun "fons" which means "spring" or "fountain". The suffix "-culus" is a diminutive suffix in Latin, indicating something small or a small version of something. Therefore, "fonticulus" can be translated as a small spring or fountain. In medical terminology, it refers specifically to the "anterior fontanelle", which is a soft spot on the top of an infant's head, where the cranial bones have not yet fully closed.