Bregma

Bregma on a human skull.

Bregma is an anatomical reference point on the human skull, representing the location where the coronal suture intersects with the sagittal suture.

Location

Situated at the superior middle portion of the calvaria (the upper part of the skull), the bregma is the precise point of convergence for the frontal bone and the two parietal bones.

Development

In early infancy, this location is recognized as the anterior fontanelle, a soft and membranous region. It eventually ossifies, typically between 4 to 26 months of age, transforming into the bregma.

Clinical Significance

• cleidocranial dysostosis: This congenital disorder is characterized by the absence of the bregma's formation, as the anterior fontanelle fails to close.
• stereotactic surgery: The bregma serves as a crucial landmark for surgeons performing brain surgeries using stereotactic techniques.
• Pediatric Examination: During a pediatrician's physical assessment of an infant, the anterior fontanelle is palpated. Indicators of potential health issues include:
  • A sunken fontanelle, which may imply dehydration.
  • An unusually tense or protruding anterior fontanelle, suggesting increased intracranial pressure.

Etymology

The term "bregma" has its origins in the Greek word bregma, which translates to "top of the head."<ref> Liddell & Scott. Greek-English Lexicon.</ref>

Additional Images

• 
  Human skull highlighting the bregma.

External links

• lesson1 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

Gray's Anatomy

• Gray's Anatomy Contents
• Gray's Anatomy Subject Index
• About Classic Gray's Anatomy
• Glossary of anatomy terms

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

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