FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

When does the posterior fontanelle usually close?

1. By 1 month

2. By 2 months

3. By 6 months

4. By 1 year

The correct answer is: By 2 months

The posterior fontanelle is an important anatomical landmark in infants and is typically located at the junction of the occipital and parietal bones. It provides insight into the growth and development of an infant's skull. The correct answer indicates that the posterior fontanelle usually closes by 2 months of age. This timing reflects normal cranial development, as the posterior fontanelle is among the first of the fontanelles to close, and closure is generally observed between 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. This early closure is significant, as it coincides with rapid brain growth during the initial months of life. Understanding the typical closure time for the posterior fontanelle helps healthcare providers monitor infant development effectively and can alert them to potential abnormalities in skull growth and intracranial pressure should the fontanelle remain open longer than expected.