BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMetopic ridgeA metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead. Considerations The skull of an infant is made up of bony plates. The gaps between the plates allow for growth of the skull. The places where these plates connect are called sutures or suture lines. They do not fully close until the 2nd or 3rd year of life.A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the front part of the skull join together too early.The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people. Causes A birth defect called craniosynostosis is a common cause of metopic ridge. It can also be associated with other congenital skeletal defects.CraniosynostosisCraniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more sutures on a baby's head closes earlier than usual. The skull of an infant or young child is ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you notice a ridge along your infant's forehead or a ridge forming on the skull.The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history.Tests may include:Head CT scan Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skull x-raySkull x-rayA skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A metopic ridge must be differentiated from metopic synostosis, which is a more serious condition. Parents can find information and support at www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/.No treatment or surgery is needed for a metopic ridge if it is the only skull abnormality.Open ReferencesReferencesCraniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support (CAPPS) website. The metopic ridge/benign or surgical? www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/. Accessed December 5, 2023.Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA. Craniosynostosis: general. In: Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Deformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 29.Jha RT, Magge SN, Keating RF. Diagnosis and surgical options for craniosynostosis. In: Ellenbogen RG, Sekhar LN, Kitchen ND, da Silva HB, eds. Principles of Neurological Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 9.Kinsman SL, Johnston MV. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 609.Qi R, Piggott K, Lloyd-White S, Kearney A. Developmental outcomes for children with unoperated metopic or sagittal craniosynostosis: Findings at 3 and 7 years from the craniofacial collaboration UK. J Craniofac Surg. 2023;34(7):1953-1958. PMID: 37264505 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37264505/.Shakir S, Taylor JA. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. In: Losee JE, Hopper RA, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 25.2.AllVideoImagesTogMetopic ridge - illustration A metopic ridge is a ridge of bone or suture line on the forehead between the two halves of the frontal bone. The ridging is caused when the two halves close prematurely.Metopic ridgeillustrationThe face - illustration The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.The faceillustrationMetopic ridge - illustration A metopic ridge is a ridge of bone or suture line on the forehead between the two halves of the frontal bone. The ridging is caused when the two halves close prematurely.Metopic ridgeillustrationThe face - illustration The physical landmarks of the human face are very similar from one face to another.The faceillustrationRelated Information Sutures - ridged(Symptoms) Review Date: 11/8/2023 Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Metopic ridgeA metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead. Considerations The skull of an infant is made up of bony plates. The gaps between the plates allow for growth of the skull. The places where these plates connect are called sutures or suture lines. They do not fully close until the 2nd or 3rd year of life.A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the front part of the skull join together too early.The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people. Causes A birth defect called craniosynostosis is a common cause of metopic ridge. It can also be associated with other congenital skeletal defects.CraniosynostosisCraniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more sutures on a baby's head closes earlier than usual. The skull of an infant or young child is ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you notice a ridge along your infant's forehead or a ridge forming on the skull.The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history.Tests may include:Head CT scan Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skull x-raySkull x-rayA skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A metopic ridge must be differentiated from metopic synostosis, which is a more serious condition. Parents can find information and support at www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/.No treatment or surgery is needed for a metopic ridge if it is the only skull abnormality.Open ReferencesReferencesCraniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support (CAPPS) website. The metopic ridge/benign or surgical? www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/. Accessed December 5, 2023.Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA. Craniosynostosis: general. In: Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Deformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 29.Jha RT, Magge SN, Keating RF. Diagnosis and surgical options for craniosynostosis. In: Ellenbogen RG, Sekhar LN, Kitchen ND, da Silva HB, eds. Principles of Neurological Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 9.Kinsman SL, Johnston MV. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 609.Qi R, Piggott K, Lloyd-White S, Kearney A. Developmental outcomes for children with unoperated metopic or sagittal craniosynostosis: Findings at 3 and 7 years from the craniofacial collaboration UK. J Craniofac Surg. 2023;34(7):1953-1958. PMID: 37264505 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37264505/.Shakir S, Taylor JA. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. In: Losee JE, Hopper RA, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 25.2.