The Role Of Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis In Skull Growth
Write short note on spheno-occipital synchondrosis.
Answer. It is the cartilaginous junction between sphenoid and occipital bones.
- It is believed to be the principal growth cartilage of cranial base during childhood.
- It remains active upto the age of 12-15 years. The sphenoid and the occipital segments then become fused in the midline area by 20 years of age.
- It provides a pressure or compression adapted bone growth, in contrast to the tension adapted growth seen in sutures. This is because the cranial base supports the weight of brain and face which bears down on synchondrosis in midline of cranial base.
- The structure of a synchondrosis is like two epiphyseal plates positioned back to back and separated by a common zone of reserve cartilage.
- Direction of growth in Spheno-occipital Synchondrosis is upwards. It therefore carries anterior part of cranium bodily forward.
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