suturescoronal

Coronal sutures, or suturae coronales, are the cranial joints that unite the frontal bone with the parietal bones. There are two coronal sutures, left and right, which extend laterally across the superior aspect of the skull and meet at the bregma. They form the boundary between the anterior (frontal) region and the two cerebral (parietal) regions.

Structurally, the coronal sutures are fibrous, immovable joints in the adult skull, but they are open in infancy to allow skull growth as the brain enlarges. The sutures are actively maintained in a fibrous state during early development and gradually ossify with age. The timing of closure varies among individuals, but the metopic suture typically fuses earlier, whereas the coronal sutures may remain patent for many years.

Clinical significance includes conditions related to premature suture fusion. Coronal craniosynostosis occurs when one or both coronal sutures fuse early, potentially restricting skull growth and producing abnormal head shapes, such as plagiocephaly (asymmetrical) or brachycephaly (shortened anterior–posterior dimension). The anterior fontanelle at the junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures reflects ongoing suture patency in infancy. Imaging studies, including radiographs or CT, can assess suture status in suspected cases. Understanding coronal sutures aids in diagnosing cranial growth disorders and planning appropriate management.