What is the term for the soft spots on an infant's skull?

The term for the soft spots on an infant's skull is "fontanelles." These are the areas between the bones of an infant's skull that have not yet fused together, allowing for some flexibility during birth as well as space for the growing brain. The presence of fontanelles is crucial for accommodating the rapid growth of the infant's head in the first year of life.

In contrast, sutures refer to the fibrous joints that connect the various bones of the skull, but they do not represent the soft areas themselves. Foramina are holes or openings in bone that allow for the passage of blood vessels and nerves, and fissures typically refer to narrow openings or splits, but they are not related to the soft spots found in an infant's skull. Understanding these terms helps clarify the anatomical nuances of the skull and the developmental aspects of infancy.