title: Cranial sutures: a multidisciplinary review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Progress in cranial suture research is shaping our current understanding of the topic; however, emphasis has been placed on individual contributing components rather than the cranial sutural system as a whole. Improving our holistic view helps further guide clinicians who treat cranial sutural abnormalities as well as researchers who study them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information from anatomy, anthropology, surgery, and computed modeling was integrated to provide a perspective to interpret suture formation and variability within the cranial functional and structural system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence from experimental settings, simulations, and evolution suggest a multifactorial morphogenetic process associated with functions and morphology of the sutures. Despite molecular influences, the biomechanical cranial environment has a main role in both the ontogenetic and phylogenetic suture dynamics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Furthering our holistic understanding of the intricate cranial sutural system promises to expand our knowledge and enhance our ability to treat associated anomalies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, Canada. diieva@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Ieva
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruner
authors.forename: Jennilee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: Scellig S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tschabitscher
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grizzi
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D000883:Anthropology / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*; D004626:Embryology / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008488:Medical Illustration / Q000266:history; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis