Learn About Metopic Ridge
A metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead.
The skull of an infant is made up of bony plates. The gaps between the plates allow for growth of the skull. The places where these plates connect are called sutures or suture lines. They do not fully close until the 2nd or 3rd year of life.
A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the front part of the skull join together too early.
The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people.
A birth defect called craniosynostosis is a common cause of metopic ridge. It can also be associated with other congenital skeletal defects.
Contact your health care provider if you notice a ridge along your infant's forehead or a ridge forming on the skull.
The provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history.
Tests may include:
- Head CT scan
- Skull x-ray
A metopic ridge must be differentiated from metopic synostosis, which is a more serious condition. Parents can find information and support at www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/.
No treatment or surgery is needed for a metopic ridge if it is the only skull abnormality.
John Persing is a Plastic Surgeon and a Neurosurgery provider in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Persing is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metopic Ridge. His top areas of expertise are Metopic Ridge, Craniosynostosis, Plagiocephaly, Crouzon Syndrome, and Craniectomy.
Dr. Derek Steinbacher
Derek Steinbacher is a Plastic Surgeon and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Guilford, Connecticut. Dr. Steinbacher is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metopic Ridge. His top areas of expertise are Metopic Ridge, Craniosynostosis, Crouzon Syndrome, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft. Dr. Steinbacher is currently accepting new patients.
Cleft Craniofacial Center At Pediatric Plastics In Lawrenceville
Jesse A. Goldstein, MD, is a craniofacial plastic surgeon certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is chief of the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, director of the Cleft-Craniofacial Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is also program director of the Plastic Surgery Residency program and the Craniofacial Fellowship programs and an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Goldstein is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Metopic Ridge. His top areas of expertise are Craniosynostosis, Metopic Ridge, Plagiocephaly, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.
Summary: RESEARCH QUESTION Is the effectiveness of conservative policy comparable to that of surgery in children with trigonocephaly, with regard to clinical outcomes and psychosocial functioning, stress for parents, and costs? DESIGN Observational cohort study in children, aged 0 to 8 years old, with trigonocephaly, excluding metopic ridging (physiologic early closure of metopic suture), treated conservat...
Summary: FGF23 is the cornerstone of phosphate / calcium / vitamin D metabolism: it is synthesized mainly by osteocytes and acts as a phosphaturizing agent, inhibitor of dihydroxyvitamin D, and inhibitor of synthesis and secretion of PTH in most tissues. The specific role of FGF23 on bone has yet to be demonstrated. In osteoblasts, overexpression of FGF23 in vitro suppresses not only osteoblastic different...
Published Date: November 08, 2023
Published By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Craniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support (CAPPS) website. The metopic ridge/benign or surgical? www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/. Accessed December 5, 2023.
Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA. Craniosynostosis: general. In: Graham JM, Sanchez-Lara PA, eds. Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Deformation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 29.
Jha RT, Magge SN, Keating RF. Diagnosis and surgical options for craniosynostosis. In: Ellenbogen RG, Sekhar LN, Kitchen ND, da Silva HB, eds. Principles of Neurological Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 9.
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Qi R, Piggott K, Lloyd-White S, Kearney A. Developmental outcomes for children with unoperated metopic or sagittal craniosynostosis: Findings at 3 and 7 years from the craniofacial collaboration UK. J Craniofac Surg. 2023;34(7):1953-1958. PMID: 37264505 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37264505/.
Shakir S, Taylor JA. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. In: Losee JE, Hopper RA, eds. Plastic Surgery: Volume 3: Craniofacial, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 25.2.