Skull & Cranial Anatomy
Metopic suture
The metopic suture is the midline suture of the forehead, between the two halves of the frontal bone.
In short: Metopic suture
- It runs down the middle of the forehead.
- It separates the two halves of the frontal bone.
- It often fuses early in childhood.
- It is a landmark near where frontal encephaloceles occur.
What it is
It is the midline forehead suture, running down the center of the forehead between the two halves of the frontal bone. Unlike most sutures, it often fuses early in childhood.
Understanding Metopic suture
It is a landmark of the forehead near where frontal and interfrontal encephaloceles occur, and is part of normal skull anatomy. Because it fuses earlier than other sutures, it is a recognizable feature in the developing skull.
Why it matters
Understanding the metopic suture helps families locate forehead findings relative to normal skull landmarks, near where anterior encephaloceles arise.
Common questions
Where is it?
Down the midline of the forehead.
What does it separate?
The two halves of the frontal bone.
Does it fuse early?
Often, yes — earlier than most sutures.
Bottom line
The metopic suture is the midline forehead suture between the halves of the frontal bone.
Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions
Read the Encephalocele patient guides
Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator