Prenatal organization and morphogenesis of the sphenofrontal suture in humans.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the prenatal structure and morphogenesis of the sphenofrontal suture.

METHODS

Eleven human specimens, two embryos and nine fetuses, were prepared for light microscopy study of the sphenofrontal suture. Ten-micrometer sections were made with the microtome in the sagittal plane from the midline to the sphenoidal fontanelle.

RESULTS

At the end of the fetal period, the sphenofrontal suture had a five-layer structure like the cranial sutures, and was formed by two different morphogenetic unities. The orbitosphenofrontal suture was formed between the membranous ossification of the orbital part of the frontal bone and the endochondral ossification of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, i.e. the ala orbitalis. In the early stage, a transient sphenoethmoidal cartilage was inserted between these two ossifications. The second unit, the lateral sphenofrontal suture, was formed between the frontal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid, and the ossification was membranous in this portion. It is formed like the cranial suture, directly from the mesenchyme.

CONCLUSION

The sphenofrontal suture is a typical fibrous suture arising from two morphogenetic unities.