What is Metopic suture?

The metopic suture (also known as the frontal, interfrontal, or median frontal suture) is a vertical fibrous joint that divides the two halves of the frontal bone and is present in a newborn.

Is metopic suture normal?

The metopic suture is the only suture that fuses normally during childhood at anytime from 3-18 months of age. When the metopic suture closes earlier than normal, typically well before birth, it is called metopic craniosynostosis.

What causes a metopic suture?

A metopic ridge is a ridge of bone or suture line on the forehead between the two halves of the frontal bone. The ridging is caused when the two halves close prematurely. The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.

At what age does the metopic suture close?

This study establishes that metopic fusion may normally occur as early as 3 months of age, and that complete fusion occurred by 9 months of age in all patients in our series.

Does everyone have a metopic suture?

At birth the frontal bone contains two portions, separated by the metopic (frontal) suture. Metopism is the condition of having a persistent metopic suture. Metopic suture is regularly obliterated, except at its lower part, by the eighth year, but infrequently persists throughout life.

Metopic Synostosis

What does Metopic mean?

Medical Definition of metopic

: of or relating to the forehead : frontal especially : of, relating to, or being a suture uniting the frontal bones in the fetus and sometimes persistent after birth.

Is Metopic and frontal suture the same?

The metopic suture (also known as the frontal, interfrontal, or median frontal suture) is a vertical fibrous joint that divides the two halves of the frontal bone and is present in a newborn.

Where is the metopic suture located?

metopic suture runs between the frontal bones from the anterior aspect of the anterior fontanelle to the nasion. In the skulls of adults it is found anterior to the coronal suture along the superior mid- sagittal crest of the frontal bone.

Will Metopic Ridge disappear?

When the metopic suture fuses, the bone next to the suture will often thicken, creating a metopic ridge. The ridge may be subtle or obvious, but it is normal and usually goes away after a few years.

Why does my baby have a line on his forehead?

When a child has metopic synostosis: The metopic suture — the joint that runs from the baby's fontanel (the “soft spot” at the top of the head) down the forehead to the top of her nose — closes too early. The baby develops a noticeable ridge extending along the center of her forehead.

Does Metopic Ridge cause speech delay?

Newswise — Children with a skull deformity called metopic synostosis have a high rate of speech and language impairments, but this risk is unrelated to the severity of the skull defect, reports a study in the January Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

Will the ridge on my baby's head go away?

Fortunately, over the next several weeks the bones of your baby's skull will almost assuredly round out and the ridges will disappear—assuming, that is, that your baby doesn't spend too much time on their back with his head in any one position.

How do I know if my baby has craniosynostosis?

Doctors can identify craniosynostosis during a physical exam. A doctor will feel the baby's head for hard edges along the sutures and unusual soft spots. The doctor also will look for any problems with the shape of the baby's face.

At what age is craniosynostosis diagnosed?

Slight imperfections in your baby's head are normal, especially in the first month after birth. But as your baby grows, a misshapen head could be a sign of something else. The earlier you can get a diagnosis—ideally, before the age of 6 months—the more effective treatment can be.

Is Metopic craniosynostosis genetic?

A Word From Verywell. Craniosynostosis is a relatively common congenital condition and has both genetic and environmental causes.

What is a normal baby head shape?

What is Normal? Parents spend so much time with their baby, recognizing an abnormal head shape can sometimes be difficult. We've found it can be helpful to see examples of a normal head shape before looking at abnormal ones. Normally, the head is about 1/3 longer than it is wide and rounded at the back.

What causes Metopic synostosis?

What causes metopic synostosis? In most infants, the exact cause is not known. It can however be associated with a number of rare genetic conditions, such as Baller-Gerold syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Muenke syndrome and others.

Do adults have metopic suture?

Metopism, the persistence of the metopic suture in adulthood, is a clinically significant radiographic finding. In addition to masquerading as a fracture of the frontal bone, a persistent metopic suture may be associated with other clinically significant anatomical variations including frontal sinus abnormalities.

How common is persistent metopic suture?

Bergman [7] reported the persistence of the metopic suture in approximately 1-12% of skulls. One author, Agarwal [10] reported the finding of 38.17% in Indian skulls, and Linc [11] observed it in 11% in Czech skulls, and finally Woo [12] reported the finding in 10% in Mongoloid skulls.

Can craniosynostosis cause behavior problems?

In unilateral coronal craniosynostosis, problems with intelligence, speech, learning, or behavior have been reported in 52% and 61% of children affected on the left and right sides, respectively⁶⁾.

What causes Trigonocephaly?

Trigonocephaly is associated with the following syndromes: Opitz syndrome, Muenke syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Baller–Gerold syndrome and Say–Meyer syndrome. The etiology of trigonocephaly is mostly unknown although there are three main theories.

What does it mean to describe someone as milquetoast?

Definition of milquetoast

(Entry 1 of 2) : a timid, meek, or unassertive person.

Is craniosynostosis serious?

If left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to serious complications, including: Head deformity, possibly severe and permanent. Increased pressure on the brain. Seizures.

Does craniosynostosis get worse with age?

The deformity usually gets even more noticeable over time. The head shape depends on the location of the fused skull suture. For example, in the most common type, sagittal synostosis, the skull becomes long and narrow with a broad forehead and a pointy shape in the back.

Is craniosynostosis surgery necessary?

Though not always necessary, there is surgical treatment to correct craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis surgery allows the bones' shapes to improve. It is also occasionally required to reduce pressure buildup in the skull. In some cases, the surgery may facilitate neurological development.