Bregma

The bregma is the anatomical point on the skull at which the coronal suture is intersected perpendicularly by the sagittal suture.

Location

The bregma is located at the intersection of the coronal suture and the sagittal suture on the superior middle portion of the calvaria. It is the point where the frontal bone and parietal bones meet.

Development

The bregma is known as the anterior fontanelle during infancy. The anterior fontanelle is membranous and closes in the first 36 months of life (according to Thieme atlas of anatomy).

Clinical Significance

In the congenital disorder cleidocranial dysostosis, the anterior fontanelle never closes to form the bregma.

The bregma is often used as a reference point for stereotactic surgery of the brain.

Also, examination of an infant includes palpating the anterior fontanelle. A sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration, whereas a very tense or bulging anterior fontanelle indicates raised intracranial pressure.

Etymology

Bregma comes from the Greek bregma, meaning top of the head.