Fontanel \Fon"ta*nel`\, n. [F. fontanelle, prop., a little fountain, fr. fontaine fountain. See Fountain.]

1. (Med.) An issue or artificial ulcer for the discharge of humors from the body.[Obs.]

--Wiseman.

2. (Anat.) One of the membranous intervals between the incompleted angles of the parietal and neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull; -- so called because it exhibits a rhythmical pulsation.

Note: In the human fetus there are six fontanels, of which the anterior, or bregmatic, situated at the junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures, is much the largest, and remains open a considerable time after birth.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)