Cranial Orthosis Terms
Short, easy-to-understand explanations of terms commonly used for head shape conditions and cranial orthosis treatment.
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5 terms- CIcephalic index · cranial indexCephalic Index — the ratio of head width to head length. It indicates whether the head shape tends toward brachycephaly or dolichocephaly.
- Coronal SutureThe transverse suture line connecting the frontal and parietal bones. Its premature closure causes anterior plagiocephaly.
- Cranial Orthosiscranial helmet · molding helmet · cranial bandA custom-made medical helmet used to correct deformities in a baby's head shape. Commonly known as a "cranial helmet".
- Craniosynostosiscraniosynostosis · suture synostosisPremature fusion of the skull sutures. It can restrict brain growth and is treated surgically by pediatric neurosurgery.
- CVAICVA index · asymmetry indexCranial Vault Asymmetry Index — the percentage of asymmetry in the cranial vault. It measures the difference between the two diagonal measurements of the head.
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2 terms- Deformational PlagiocephalyPlagiocephaly that develops from external pressure, without fusion of the sutures. Unlike craniosynostosis, it does not require surgery and is corrected with a cranial orthosis.
- Dolichocephalydolichocephaly · long head · scaphocephaly (similar)A deformity in which the head is longer and narrower than normal. It is seen particularly in premature babies, due to lying on their side.
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3 terms- Sagittal SutureThe suture line running front to back along the top of the skull. Its premature closure leads to scaphocephaly.
- Scaphocephalyscaphocephaly · sagittal synostosisA subtype of craniosynostosis in which the head is long and narrow due to premature closure of the sagittal suture. It requires surgical treatment.
- Suturesuture · cranial sutureThe flexible joint lines connecting the bones of a baby's skull. They don't close until around 12–18 months — this is what allows the head to grow.