Health Encyclopedia

Metopic ridge

Definition

A metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead.

Considerations

A metopic ridge is similar to other ridged sutures. It occurs when the two halves of the frontal bones of the skull join together prematurely.

The metopic suture normally begins to close in the second year of life, and is usually completely closed during the third year. However, it remains unclosed throughout life in 10% of the population.

Common Causes

Congenital craniosynostosis, particularly trigonocephaly, is a common cause for metopic ridge.

Call your health care provider if

Call your health care provider if you notice a ridge along the forehead of your infant or a ridge forming over any of the normal sutures of the skull.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history.

Questions may include:

When did you first notice this?
Are there any other ridged sutures?
Does the child have any other symptoms?

Diagnostic tests may include:

Head CT (maybe)
Skull x-ray

No treatment or surgery is required for a metopic ridge.

References

Ridgway EB. Skull deformities. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2004; 51(2): 359-87.

Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2001:2484.

Review Date:11/14/2007
Reviewed By:Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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