The suture that unites the two parietal bones to the occipital bone is the:

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The Lambdoid suture is the specific fibrous joint that connects the posterior (back) border of the two parietal bones with the superior border of the occipital bone.
Its name is derived from its resemblance to the Greek letter lambda (λ).
This suture is located at the back of the skull.

Option A: The Squamous suture connects the parietal bone with the temporal bone on the lateral (side) aspect of the skull, not the occipital bone.
Option B: The Frontal (or metopic) suture is located in the midline of the frontal bone. It typically fuses and disappears in early childhood.
Option C: The Coronal suture connects the frontal bone with the two parietal bones at the front of the skull.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of skull sutures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In obstetrics, nurses palpate the fetal skull sutures during vaginal examination to determine the position and attitude of the fetal head, which is crucial for managing labor.
The flexibility of sutures allows for 'molding,' where the skull bones overlap to reduce the head's diameter, facilitating its passage through the birth canal.
Premature fusion of sutures (craniosynostosis) is a serious condition that can lead to abnormal head shape and increased intracranial pressure, requiring surgical intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key anatomical structures mentioned in the question: 'parietal bones' and 'occipital bone'.
Recall the major sutures of the skull and the specific bones they connect.
Visualize the location of these bones on the skull. The parietal bones form the top and sides, while the occipital bone is at the back.
Evaluate each option based on this anatomical knowledge.
Eliminate options that connect different bones (e.g., Coronal suture connects frontal and parietal bones).
Select the option that correctly identifies the suture joining the parietal and occipital bones.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q0lsuCwJ4j8dWKBcEXE5vc

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 277-279

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 38-40

Practise the full NVS- 2025

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