Which of the following factors provide infants and young children protection against head trauma by allowing a degree of expansion of the cranial volume?
I. Reduced cranial weight
II. Less cranial ossification
III. Presence of fontanels
IV. Presence of flat bones

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infants and young children also have malleable skulls because of the large fontanels (soft spots) and the flat bones of the skull, which have not yet fused and still may be cartilaginous before ossification. These factors allow for elasticity of the cranial vault and lessen or prevent both fractures and pressure-related brain injuries during passage through the birth canal. Skull malleability also protects against damage from other sources, such as trauma or illness, causing increased pressures in the cranial vault. This protection occurs by allowing a degree of expansion of the cranial volume.

Which of the Following Factors Provide Infants and Young Children