👶 Premature Closure of the Sagittal Suture

Let’s understand this in a very simple way.

What are skull sutures?
A newborn baby’s skull is made up of several bones connected by fibrous joints called sutures.

👉 These sutures allow the skull to grow as the brain develops.

What is the sagittal suture?
The sagittal suture is the joint that runs from the front to the back along the middle of the skull.

It separates the:

• Right parietal bone
• Left parietal bone

What happens if the sagittal suture closes too early?
The skull cannot expand normally from side to side.

👉 As a result, the head becomes:

• Long and narrow
• Boat-shaped

What is this condition called?

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Scaphocephaly

Why Scaphocephaly?
“Scapho” means boat.

👉 Premature fusion of the sagittal suture produces a long, narrow, boat-shaped skull known as Scaphocephaly.

Why other options are not correct?

• (b) Oxycephaly → ❌ Tower-shaped skull due to fusion of multiple sutures
• (c) Acrocephaly → ❌ High, pointed skull deformity
• (d) Anencephaly → ❌ Congenital absence of major portions of the brain and skull

Simple Exam Trick:
Sagittal suture closes early → Long narrow “boat-shaped” head → Scaphocephaly

📌 Disclaimer: For exam preparation only. Follow pediatric and neurosurgical references in clinical practice.

💚 Exam Objective Nursing – Asha D
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success