Growth of a Baby's Skeleton
After a baby is born, the cranium grows in relation to brain growth. At 2 years old, the skull is larger in proportion to the body compared to that of an adult. Around age 9, the skull is near adult size and proportion.
Facial bones follow tooth development and enlargement of the respiratory passageways. Between the ages of 6-11, the face grows out from the skull.
Facial bones follow tooth development and enlargement of the respiratory passageways. Between the ages of 6-11, the face grows out from the skull.
In a fetus the long bones are formed of hyaline cartilage and flat bones begin as fibrous membranes. Both models are converted to bone through the process of endochondral ossification. The fontanels remain until around age 2. The long bones will continue to grow through adolescence, at which time bone length growth ends and the epiphyseal plate will leave behind just the epiphyseal line.