Cephalocaudal and proximodistal patterns of growth and infancy in childhood>>
There are two general patterns of physical growth.
- Cephalocaudal development refers to growth and development that occurs from the head down. It consists of development starting at the top of the body and working its way down, i.e., from the head to the feet. What this means is that the development of the head and brain tends to be more advanced (in the sense that it occurs first) than the rest of the body. This pattern is largely complete by the beginning of adulthood, though of course other aspects of development continues throughout life.
- Proximodistal development occurs from the centre or core of the body in an outward direction. It consists in the tendency for growth to start at the center of the body and work its way outward, toward the extremities. This is called the proximodistal pattern. Thus, the spine develops first in the uterus, followed by the extremities and finally the fingers and toes.