Role of cranial sutures in normal and abnormal skull development.

In a series of experimental studies, the effects of induced premature closure of a normal cranial suture on the normal growth pattern of the rabbit skull are reported. In general, the results indicate that the craniofacial skeleton is an integrated growing unit in which alteration in growth of one component has profound effects on growth of other components. The magnitude and type of compensatory response depend on the type of suture, i.e., cranial or facial, its location, and timing of the growth insult. It is also important to note that the timing of surgical intervention has a direct effect on the capability of the growing craniofacial skeleton to obtain a more typical growth pattern.