Question:medium

The presenting diameter of a fully flexed fetal head is:

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Full flexion presents the smallest, roughly 9.5 cm diameter.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Suboccipito-bregmatic diameter
  • Suboccipito-frontal diameter
  • Occipito-frontal diameter
  • Occipito-posterior position
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Flexion of the fetal head determines which anteroposterior diameter engages the pelvis; maximal flexion brings the narrowest diameter forward.
Step 2: With complete flexion the suboccipito-bregmatic diameter, about $9.5$ cm, presents, running from the suboccipital region to the bregma, and it corresponds to the smallest head circumference.
Step 3: Increasing deflexion progressively substitutes the larger suboccipito-frontal and occipito-frontal diameters, while occipito-posterior names a position, not a diameter. The diameter of the fully flexed head is therefore suboccipito-bregmatic.
\[\boxed{\text{Suboccipito-bregmatic diameter}}\]
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