**Core Concept**
In a newborn child, the skull bones are not fully fused, resulting in openings called fontanelles. These fontanelles allow for the flexibility of the skull during birth and also enable the skull to expand as the brain grows. There are six fontanelles in total, which are usually closed by the age of 2-3 years.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the anatomy of the skull in a newborn. The six fontanelles present in a newborn child are:
- Anterior fontanelle (also known as the soft spot)
- Posterior fontanelle
- Two mastoid fontanelles
- Two sphenoidal fontanelles
These fontanelles are present due to the incomplete ossification of the skull bones, which is a normal process in newborns.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect as it does not specify the correct number of fontanelles.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect as it is not a commonly recognized number of fontanelles in a newborn child.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect as it does not accurately represent the number of fontanelles in a newborn child.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that the fontanelles are a normal feature of a newborn's skull and should not be mistaken for any pathological condition. The fontanelles can be a useful landmark for assessing the size and shape of the skull in newborns.
**Correct Answer: D. 6**
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