title: Mechanisms of premature closure of cranial sutures.
abstract: Craniosynostosis is defined as premature closure of the sutures of the skull, resulting in cranial deformity. Since Virchow's original paper describing the relationship between premature suture closure and skull morphology, we have learned much about the underlying mechanisms and consequences of premature suture closure. In this paper we will describe the biology of suture closure, the rules governing the resulting phenotypes seen clinically, and a prospective study of skull growth during the 1st year of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Health Sciences Center, Box 212, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. ta6s@virginia.edu
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Alden
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jane
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008954:Models, Biological; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology