Metopıc Suture: An Anatomic Study in Anatolian Dry Skulls

Abstract

Objective: Metopic suture is formed due to failure of union of the two halves of the frontal bone. Usually the suture disappears by early childhood, but in some cases it persists as complete or incomplete metopic suture throughout life. A complete metopic suture extends from anterior aspect of bregma to the nasion which is known as metopism. It is essential to know about metopic suture, failing which; it can be easily misunderstood as fracture of frontal bone. It is also important for paleodemography and forensic medicine. Methods: The present study was performed on 240 human dry skulls within bone collection of Anatomy Departments of Karatay University, Necmettin Erbakan University and Harran University. However, 204 dry bones with intact and non-infant frontal bone were included in the study. Morphometric measurements of the present study was performed by a digital caliper. In addition, incomplete metopic sutures were classified as 8 types. The obtained results were evaluated by SPSS 21.0 program. Results: Metopism was detected in 12.7% of the skulls, but no metopic suture was detected in 37.7% of the skulls. The mean lenght of metopism was found 108.15±10.40 mm. The incomplete metopic suture percentage was found 79.5%. Types of metopic sutures were found as linear (58.4%), 'U' shaped (9.9%), 'V' shaped (11.9%),‟invert U shaped‟ (1%),‟H‟ shaped (5.9%),‟Y‟ shaped (5%), double linear (4%) and stacked shaped (4%), respectively. In the previous studies, the incidence of metopism (complete metopic suture) was found to be 4-5%, but this rate was higher in our study. Conclusion: Present study may be useful for diagnostic and surgical intervention, particularly during frontal craniotomy.