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Sagittal Suture

sutura sagittalis

The sagittal suture is the midline fibrous joint running front to back along the top of the skull between the two parietal bones. It extends from bregma, where it meets the coronal suture, to lambda, where it meets the lambdoid suture. Its zigzag edges interlock firmly in the adult but allow the skull to grow sideways during childhood.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Landmarks

Articulations	Right parietal bone Left parietal bone
Landmarks	Bregma (anterior end) Lambda (posterior end) Parietal foramina on either side near its back end (variable) Overlies the superior sagittal sinus
Ossification	Membranous ossification of the parietal bones leaves the suture open in infancy; fusion usually begins in early to middle adulthood, starting near the back.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Sagittal craniosynostosis is the most common form of craniosynostosis. Because the skull cannot widen, it grows long and narrow (scaphocephaly), often with a palpable ridge along the suture. The suture lies directly over the superior sagittal sinus, so depressed fractures or surgery in this midline zone carry a risk of major venous bleeding or sinus thrombosis. Widening of the suture on infant imaging can be a sign of raised intracranial pressure.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Sagittal Craniosynostosis (Scaphocephaly)

Premature fusion of the sagittal suture producing a long, narrow head with a prominent forehead and back of the head; corrected surgically, often in the first year of life.

Superior Sagittal Sinus Injury

A depressed skull fracture over the midline can tear the underlying venous sinus, causing heavy bleeding or later sinus thrombosis.

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