Final answer:
Fontanels in newborns represent broad areas of fibrous connective tissue that allow for the flexibility, growth, and movement of the skull. They aid in the passage of the child's head through the birth canal during birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In newborns, fontanels represent broad areas of fibrous connective tissue that form fibrous joints between the bones of the skull. They are like soft spots that are covered by a layer of tough, protective tissue. The fontanels allow for the flexibility and rapid growth of the skull in the first year after birth. During birth, fontanels also enable the bony plates of the skull to move and change shape, aiding the passage of the child's head through the birth canal.