Cranial Deformations: Scaphocephaly, Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, Trigonocephaly

[Evolved]

Fusion of the sagittal suture (which runs from front to back along the top of the skull) produces an elongated head, a deformity characterized as scaphocephaly. Scaphocephaly (Dolichocephaly) describes a head with a long, narrow shape, and is particularly common in premature babies.


Scaphocephaly (top and profile views)

Premature fusion of one side of the coronal suture results in a deformity called plagiocephaly. On the side of the fusion the forehead is flat or even concave, and the orbit (the bones of the facial skeleton containing the eye) is displaced upwards. On the opposite side the forehead bulges abnormally. If this condition is not corrected early in life, the jaws may also become asymmetrical making surgical correction a much more complex undertaking.


plagiocephaly

If both sides of the coronal suture are fused prematurely, growth of the skull in a front to back direction becomes deficient, giving rise to a deformity called brachycephaly (short head). Something as simple as sleeping on the back can cause brachycephaly. The head flattens uniformally, causing a wider and shorter shape. Increased head height is also common in children with brachycephaly.


(5 month old infant with severe brachcephaly, before and after)

In early fusion of the metopic suture (a vertical suture in the middle of the forehead) a triangular, keel shaped forehead develops. This condition is called trigonocephaly.


Trigonocephaly (3D CT scan)

[Stríbog]

Does this mean that everyone who isn't strictly mesocephalic is deformed?

[Evolved]

Maybe all infants are supposed to have mesocephalic skulls and then later in life they differentiate. Macrocephals (cranial capacity is greater than 1450 milliliters) often are mentally retarded, I think Microcephals always are.

You can find out if you are Macrocephalic.