Sagittal suture

The sagittal suture is formed from the fibrous connective tissue joint between the two parietal bones of the skull. It has a varied and irregular shape which arises during development. The inner parts of the parietal bones fuse before the outer parts. == Clinical significance ==

If certain bones of the skull grow too fast before birth, then "premature closure" of the sutures may occur. This can cause craniosynostosis, which results in skull deformities. Sagittal craniosynostosis is the most common form. If the sagittal suture closes early the skull becomes long, narrow, and wedge-shaped, a condition called 'scaphocephaly'. == Society and culture ==

In forensic anthropology, the sagittal suture is one method used to date human remains. The suture begins to close at age twenty nine, starting at where it intersects at the lambdoid suture and working forward. By age thirty five, the suture is completely closed. This means that when inspecting a human skull, if the suture is still open, one can assume an age of less than twenty nine. Conversely, if the suture is completely formed, one can assume an age of greater than thirty five. == History ==

The term is derived from the Latin word sagitta, meaning arrow. The derivation of this term may be demonstrated by observing how the sagittal suture is notched posteriorly, like an arrow, by the lambdoid suture. The sagittal suture is also known as the 'interparietal suture', the sutura interparietalis. == Additional images ==

File:Sagittal suture - animation03.gif|Animation. Sagittal suture shown in red. File:Sobo 1909 47 - sagittal suture.png|Sagittal suture seen from inside. ==See also==