Interparietal bone

Interparietal bone

The Interparietal bone is a part of the skull that is found in many animals, including humans. It is a bony plate that is located between the occipital bone and the two parietal bones.

Etymology

The term "interparietal" is derived from the Latin words "inter", meaning between, and "parietal", referring to the wall. Thus, the term literally means "between the walls", referring to its location between the two parietal bones.

Anatomy

In humans, the interparietal bone is usually small and tends to fuse with the occipital bone early in life. However, in some cases, it may remain separate and is then referred to as an Inca bone. In other animals, such as cats and dogs, the interparietal bone is much larger and forms a significant part of the skull.

Function

The interparietal bone, like other parts of the skull, serves to protect the brain. It forms part of the posterior cranial fossa, which houses the cerebellum and the brainstem.

Clinical significance

Anomalies of the interparietal bone, such as its absence or abnormal size, can be associated with certain medical conditions. For example, a large interparietal bone can be a sign of craniosynostosis, a condition in which the sutures of the skull close prematurely.

See also

• Skull
• Occipital bone
• Parietal bone
• Inca bone
• Craniosynostosis

References

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