Bregma
| Bregma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Anterior fontanelle |
| System | Skeletal system |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | bregma |
| TA98 | A02.1.00.016 |
| TA2 | 418 |
| FMA | 264776 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The bregma is the anatomical point on the skull at which the coronal suture is intersected perpendicularly by the sagittal suture.
Structure
[edit]The bregma is located at the intersection of the coronal suture and the sagittal suture on the superior middle portion of the calvaria.[1] It is the point where the frontal bone and the two parietal bones meet.[1]
Development
[edit]The bregma is known as the anterior fontanelle during infancy. The anterior fontanelle is membranous and closes in the first 18-36 months of life.[2]
Clinical significance
[edit]Cleidocranial dysostosis
[edit]In the birth defect cleidocranial dysostosis, the anterior fontanelle never closes to form the bregma.
Surgical landmark
[edit]The bregma is often used as a reference point for stereotactic surgery of the brain.[3][4] It may be identified by blunt scraping of the surface of the skull and washing to make the meeting point of the sutures clearer.[3]
Neonatal examination
[edit]Examination of an infant includes palpating the anterior fontanelle.[5] It should be flat, soft, and less than 3.5cm across.[5] A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration, whereas a very tense or bulging anterior fontanelle indicates raised intracranial pressure.
Height assessment
[edit]Cranial height is defined as the distance between the bregma and the midpoint of the foramen magnum (the basion).[6] This is strongly linked to more general growth.[6] This can be used to assess the general health of a deceased person as part of an archaeological excavation, giving information on the health of a population.[6]
Etymology
[edit]The word "bregma" comes from the Ancient Greek βρέγμα (brégma), meaning the bone directly above the brain.[7]
References
[edit]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 135 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ a b "Skull, Scalp, and Meninges Overview". Imaging in Neurology, Part 1. AMIRSYS. 2016. pp. 288–291. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-44781-2.50232-1. ISBN 978-0-323-44781-2.
- ^ Gilroy, Anne M.; MacPherson, Brian R.; Wikenheiser, Jamie C.; Schuenke, Michael; Schulte, Erik; Schumacher, Udo (2020). Atlas of Anatomy. Anne M. Gilroy, Brian R. MacPherson, Jamie C. Wikenheiser, Markus M. Voll, Karl Wesker, Michael Based on: Schünke (4th ed.). New York: Thieme Medical Publishers. ISBN 978-1-68420-203-4. OCLC 1134458436.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Carvey, Paul M.; Maag, Terrence J.; Lin, Donghui (1994). "13 - Injection of Biologically Active Substances into the Brain". Methods in Neurosciences. Vol. 21. Elsevier. pp. 214–234. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-185291-7.50019-9. ISBN 978-0-12-185291-7. ISSN 1043-9471.
- ^ Harley, Carolyn W.; Shakhawat, Amin M. D.; Quinlan, Meghan A. L.; Carew, Samantha J.; Walling, Sue G.; Yuan, Qi; Martin, Gerard M. (2018). "Chapter 19 - Using Molecular Biology to Address Locus Coeruleus Modulation of Hippocampal Plasticity and Learning: Progress and Pitfalls". Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience. Vol. 28. Publisher. pp. 349–364. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-812028-6.00019-7. ISBN 978-0-12-812028-6. ISSN 1569-7339.
- ^ a b Carreiro, Jane E. (2009-01-01). "8 - Labor, delivery and birth". An Osteopathic Approach to Children (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 131–145. doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06738-9.00008-3. ISBN 978-0-443-06738-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c Nikita, Efthymia (2017-01-01). "6 - Growth Patterns". Osteoarchaeology - A Guide to the Macroscopic Study of Human Skeletal Remains. Academic Press. pp. 243–267. ISBN 978-0-12-804021-8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon
Additional images
[edit]-
The bregma, human skull.
External links
[edit]
- lesson1 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
