Incidence of metopism in skulls of adult people from Belgaum, Karnataka

The frontal suture is a dense connective tissue structure that divides the two halves of the frontal bone of the skull in infants and children. It usually disappears by the age of six, with the two halves of the frontal bone being fused together. If it does not disappear it may be called a “metopic suture” or “sutura frontalis persistens.” The incidence of metopism was observed in 7 skulls (7%), out of 100 skulls studied, being 70 cases (70%) male and 30% (30 cases) female. The Incomplete metopic suture was found in 39 skulls (39%), being more frequent in males (26 cases; 66.7%) than in females (13 cases; 33.3%). The most common shape was linear (16 cases; 41.1%) followed by V shape (09 cases; 23.1%). In remaining 52 of the skulls studied signs of metopic suture were not found. Metopic sutures are of no clinical significance, although they can be mistaken for cranial fractures. The knowledge of morphological pattern of the metopic suture is important for the radiological and surgical point of view as well as for the forensic experts.