The premature closure of the sagittal suture is called?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Premature fusion of the sagittal suture is known as scaphocephaly.
This condition restricts the skull's growth in width, forcing it to grow longer and narrower, resulting in a characteristic 'boat-shaped' head (also called dolichocephaly).
Scaphocephaly is the most common form of craniosynostosis, accounting for about 40-60% of cases.
The head shape is marked by a prominent forehead (frontal bossing) and back of the head (occiput), with a palpable bony ridge along the fused sagittal suture.

Option B: Oxycephaly refers to a 'tower skull' or 'cone-shaped' head, which is not the shape caused by sagittal suture fusion.
Option C: Acrocephaly is a general term for a pointed or 'tower' head, often used interchangeably with oxycephaly. It typically involves the fusion of multiple sutures, not just the sagittal suture.
Option D: Anencephaly is a severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. It is a condition of failed neural tube closure, not premature suture fusion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the specific type of craniosynostosis based on the affected suture as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in identifying abnormal head shapes during routine neonatal and infant assessments, facilitating early diagnosis and referral to a specialist.
Post-operative nursing care for surgical correction of craniosynostosis involves monitoring for signs of increased intracranial pressure, infection, blood loss, and managing pain.
Parents require significant emotional support and education about the condition, the surgical procedure, and post-operative care, which is a primary nursing responsibility.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question requiring knowledge of medical terminology for congenital skull deformities.
First, identify the key anatomical structure and pathology in the question: 'premature closure' (craniosynostosis) and 'sagittal suture'.
Recall or deduce the effect of sagittal suture fusion. This suture runs front-to-back along the top of the skull. Its fusion prevents side-to-side growth, forcing compensatory growth in the front-to-back direction.
This results in a long, narrow head shape.
Evaluate the options based on their definitions:
Scaphocephaly: From Greek 'skaphe' (boat), describing a boat-shaped head. This matches the expected deformity.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the specific type of craniosynostosis based on the affected suture.
Stem keywords: premature closure, sagittal suture
Lead-in keywords: is called
Negative lead-in flag: false

Q0hW14I2QXaIAt4s4s7ouc

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 pp. 1389-1391, 1388-1390

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.