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Metopic ridge

A metopic ridge is an abnormal shape of the skull. The ridge can be seen on the forehead.

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Considerations

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 usually do not fully close (which joins the bony plates) until the 2nd or 3rd year of life.

A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the middle of the forehead join together too early.

The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people.

Causes

It is usually unclear why a metopic ridge occurs. Often it will diminish as the child grows. Sometimes it is part of a more serious syndrome called craniosynostosis which can be associated with other congenital skeletal defects. A metopic ridge, by itself, is usually only a cosmetic concern.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

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 part of craniosynostosis, a more serious condition. Parents can find information and support at www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/.

The only treatment is surgery, but is rarely necessary if it is the only skull abnormality, unless it causes a cosmetic problem..

Related Information

References

Bloch K, Geoffroy M, Taverne M, et al. New diagnostic criteria for metopic ridges and trigonocephaly: a 3D geometric approach. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2024;19(1):204. PMID: 38762603 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38762603/.

Craniosynostosis and Positional Plagiocephaly Support (CAPPS) website. The metopic ridge/benign or surgical? www.cappskids.org/metopic-ridge/. Accessed November 21, 2025.

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.

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.

Trowbridge SK, Yang E, Yuskaitis CJ. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 631.

Review Date: 10/20/2025  

Reviewed 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.

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