A Morphological Cross-Sectional Study of Metopic Suture in Human Adult Cadaveric Skulls

BACKGROUND Metopic suture is located anterior to the coronal suture. There are two types: complete and incomplete metopic sutures. Knowledge regarding the metopic sutures in adults is necessary to avoid misinterpretation of radiographs as frontal bone fracture. Knowledge with regard to metopic suture is helpful for anatomists and medico legal experts. This study has been done to find out the incidence of metopic suture, classify the metopic sutures into complete and incomplete type and further classify the incomplete variety based on shape. METHODS This study was conducted on 50 skulls from the Department of Anatomy, Autonomous Government Medical College and Hospital, Ratlam (MP). Skulls with signs of disease and damaged skulls were excluded from the study. RESULTS In the present study, out of 50 dry adult cadaveric skulls, 2 skulls (4 %) showed complete metopism. Incomplete metopic sutures were present in 28 / 50 (56 %) and absent in 20 / 50 (40 %). Out of 28 incomplete metopic sutures, single linear metopic sutures were present in 12 / 28 (42.85 %). Double linear metopic sutures were present in 7 / 28 (25 %). V-shaped metopic sutures were present in 5 / 28 (17.85 %) and U shaped metopic sutures were present in 4 / 28 (14.28 %). CONCLUSIONS Detailed knowledge of the metopic suture is important for neurosurgeons and radiologists in routine practice. Vertical frontal bone fractures may be easily misdiagnosed with persistent metopic sutures. This anatomical knowledge of metopic sutures is very useful for doctors while treating traumatised patients and during surgical intervention including frontal craniotomy. KEYWORDS Suture, Metopism, Frontal Bone, Nasion, Bregma