Koljuõmblustes

Koljuõmblustes, also known as sutures, are the fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull. These immoveable joints are essential for the structural integrity of the cranium and play a crucial role during development. The bones of the skull are not fused at birth, allowing for slight movement and molding of the head during childbirth. The sutures gradually ossify and fuse as an individual matures.

The major sutures of the human skull include the sagittal suture, which runs between the two parietal bones; the coronal suture, which separates the frontal bone from the parietal bones; the lambdoid suture, located between the occipital bone and the parietal bones; and the squamous suture, found where the parietal bones meet the temporal bones. In infants, the unfused areas between sutures are known as fontanelles, which are covered by a membrane and are palpable as soft spots on the head. These fontanelles typically close within the first 18 to 24 months of life.

Abnormalities in suture development, such as premature fusion (craniosynostosis), can lead to significant skull deformities and may require surgical intervention to allow for proper brain growth. The study of sutures is important in fields like paleontology, anthropology, and medicine, providing insights into evolutionary history, age estimation, and the diagnosis of developmental conditions.