Metopic ridge: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P A metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead.

T Considerations
P 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.
P A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the front part of the skull join together too early.
P The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people.

T Causes
P A birth defect called craniosynostosis is a common cause of metopic ridge. It can also be associated with other congenital skeletal defects.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your health care provider if you notice a ridge along your infant's forehead or a ridge forming on the skull.
P The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history.
P Tests may include:
- Head CT scan
- Skull x-ray
P No treatment or surgery is needed for a metopic ridge if it is the only skull abnormality.

T Images
- Metopic ridge
- The face

T References
P Argyropoulou MI, Rossi A, Gunny RS, Chong WKK. Paediatric neuroradiology. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2015:chap 82.
P Gerety PA, Taylor JA, Bartlett SP. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. In: Rodriguez ED, Losee JE, Neligan PC, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 32.
P Kinsman SL, Johnston MV. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 591.
P Spierer A, Wygnanski-Jaffe T. The eye in skeletal disorders. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 5;chap 29.

T Review Date 12/2/2017
P Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

