{{short description|Connective tissue between the parietal bones and the occipital bone of the skull}} {{Infobox bone | Name = Lambdoid suture | Latin = sutura lambdoidea | Image = Lambdoid suture - skull - posterior view.png | Caption = Lambdoid suture, posterior view | Image2 = WhiteDesertSkullCropped - Lambdoid suture.png | Caption2 = Lambdoid suture (labeled at bottom right) |PartOf=Skull|Nerve=Supraorbital nerve }}
The '''lambdoid suture''', or '''lambdoidal suture''', is a dense, fibrous connective tissue joint on the posterior aspect of the skull that connects the parietal bones with the occipital bone. It is continuous with the occipitomastoid suture.
== Structure == The lambdoid suture is between the paired parietal bones and the occipital bone of the skull. It runs from the asterion on each side.
=== Nerve supply === The lambdoid suture may be supplied by a branch of the supraorbital nerve, a branch of the frontal branch of the trigeminal nerve.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Barral|first1=Jean-Pierre|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702031007500057|title=Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves|last2=Croibier|first2=Alain|date=2009-01-01|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|isbn=978-0-7020-3100-7|pages=7–14|language=en|chapter=2 - Characteristics of cranial nerves|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7020-3100-7.50005-7}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last1=Barral|first1=Jean-Pierre|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702031007500185|title=Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves|last2=Croibier|first2=Alain|date=2009-01-01|publisher=Churchill Livingstone|isbn=978-0-7020-3100-7|pages=115–128|language=en|chapter=15 - Ophthalmic nerve|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7020-3100-7.50018-5}}</ref>
== Clinical significance == At birth, the bones of the skull do not meet. If certain bones of the skull grow too fast, then craniosynostosis (premature closure of the sutures) may occur. This can result in skull deformities. If the lambdoid suture closes too soon on one side, the skull will appear twisted and asymmetrical, a condition called "plagiocephaly". Plagiocephaly refers to the shape and not the condition. The condition is craniosynostosis.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
The lambdoid suture can be damaged by a fall backward.<ref name=":0" />
== Etymology == The lambdoid suture is named due to its uppercase lambda-like shape.
== Additional images == <gallery> File:Lambdoid suture - animation03.gif|Animation. Lambdoid suture shown in red. File:Lambdoid suture - animation05.gif|Parietal bones (above) and occipital bone (below). File:Sobo 1909 46 - Lambdoid suture.png|Lambdoid suture seen from above. File:Sobo 1909 47 - Lambdoid suture.png|Lambdoid suture seen from inside. File:Skull - midsaggital section P.2005 - Lambdoid suture.png|Lambdoid suture, medial view. Indicated by yellow line. File:Lambdoid suture.jpg|Lambdoid suture with Wormian bones, seen from behind. </gallery>
== References == <references /> * "Sagittal suture." ''Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 27th ed.'' (2000). * Moore, Keith L., and T.V.N. Persaud. ''The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 7th ed.'' (2003).
== External links == {{Commons category|Lambdoid sutures}} * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|22|01|03}} (Posterior) * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|22|03|02}} (Lateral) * {{cite web|url=http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s34256.000-2.html |title=Anatomy diagram: 34256.000-2 |work=Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator |publisher=Elsevier |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101000000/http://www.tk.de/rochelexikon/pics/s34256.000-2.html |archivedate=2014-01-01 |url-status=dead }}
{{Cranial fibrous joints}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Bones of the head and neck Category:Cranial sutures Category:Human head and neck Category:Joints Category:Joints of the head and neck Category:Skeletal system Category:Skull