Final answer:
Craniosynostosis is the condition where the bones of the skull are fused together due to the premature closure of cranial sutures. It can cause abnormal skull growth and head deformity, and is most effectively treated with surgery to allow normal brain and skull development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition in which the bones of the skull are fused together is known as craniosynostosis. This condition involves the premature closure (fusion) of one or more cranial sutures – the fibrous joints that connect the skull bones – which can lead to abnormal growth of the skull and deformity of the head. Genetic factors contribute to craniosynostosis, but the underlying cause remains largely unknown. The condition is relatively common, affecting approximately 1 in 2,000 births, with a higher incidence in males.
There are two types of craniosynostosis: primary craniosynostosis, which involves the early fusion of one cranial suture, and complex craniosynostosis, resulting from the premature fusion of several sutures. An example of a deformity resulting from craniosynostosis is scaphocephaly, a long, narrow, wedge-shaped head caused by the premature closure of the sagittal suture. Treatment typically involves surgery to reopen the fused suture and may include the replacement of parts of the skull with an artificial plate, allowing for normal growth and development of the brain and skull.