Metopic

Metopic is a term used in anatomy to refer to the region of the human skull where the metopic suture is located. This suture, also known as the frontal suture, is a type of cranial suture that separates the two halves of the frontal bone of the skull in infants and young children. In most individuals, the metopic suture fuses together between the ages of 2 and 8 years, leaving a single, unified frontal bone.

Anatomy

The metopic suture begins at the nasion, the point of intersection between the nasal bone and the frontal bone, and extends superiorly to the bregma, where it intersects with the coronal suture. This suture is one of several that serve to accommodate the rapid growth of the brain during infancy and early childhood.

Clinical significance

In some individuals, the metopic suture fails to fuse in childhood, a condition known as metopic synostosis or trigonocephaly. This can result in a range of physical and cognitive abnormalities, including a triangular-shaped forehead, developmental delays, and increased intracranial pressure. Treatment typically involves surgery to correct the shape of the skull and relieve pressure on the brain.

See also

• Craniosynostosis
• Cranial suture
• Frontal bone

References

Metopic Resources
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