Final answer:
The three major cranial sutures are the coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid sutures. They play a pivotal role in skull growth and brain protection. Premature closure of these sutures can lead to craniosynostosis, affecting proper brain development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three major cranial sutures are fibrous joints that connect the bones of the skull. These sutures are critical for brain protection and play a role in skull growth. The coronal suture runs from side to side across the skull, joining the frontal bone to the parietal bones. The sagittal suture extends posteriorly from the coronal suture, uniting the right and left parietal bones along the top of the skull. Lastly, the lambdoid suture connects the occipital bone to the parietal and temporal bones. This suture is characterized by its inverse 'V' shape and is named after the Greek letter lambda (A).
Sutures are important because they allow for the flexibility of the skull during birth and rapid growth afterwards. During development, ossification can transform these connective tissues into bone through a process known as synostosis, causing the bones to fuse. In the case of premature suture closure, a condition known as craniosynostosis, it can lead to severe constraints on skull growth, which potentially impacts brain development.