The flat bones of the skull are separated by areas of fibrous connective tissue that provide spaces between the developing bones.  These areas  (called fontanels, or soft spots) permit the skull to undergo changes of shape during birth and allow for rapid growth of the brain during infancy.  Ossification of the fontanels is usually complete by 24 months of  age.

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The address of A/P Lab is:  http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/aplab/      Direct comments or questions to gillis.rick@uwlax.edu