Identification: cranial suture closure: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Identification: cranial suture closure

Sample item

Which statement about estimating age from closure of the cranial sutures is correct?

AAll the sutures close at the same ageBClosure gives the age to within a yearCClosure begins on the outer surface before the inner surfaceDClosure begins on the inner surface before the outer surface

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Closure begins on the inner surface before the outer surface

Obliteration of the cranial sutures begins endocranially, with the outer (ectocranial) surface closing later. The timing varies a lot between individuals and between sutures, so it gives only a rough estimate of age.

Option by option

A. All the sutures close at the same age
The sutures close at different times, in a variable sequence.
B. Closure gives the age to within a year
The method is crude and varies widely, so it is not accurate to a year.
C. Closure begins on the outer surface before the inner surface
The outer surface closes later than the inner one.
D. Closure begins on the inner surface before the outer surface (correct)
Correct. The inner table of the skull fuses first.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Closure begins on the inner surface before the outer surface. Obliteration of the cranial sutures begins endocranially, with the outer (ectocranial) surface closing later.

Why is "All the sutures close at the same age" not the answer?

The sutures close at different times, in a variable sequence.

Why is "Closure gives the age to within a year" not the answer?

The method is crude and varies widely, so it is not accurate to a year.

Why is "Closure begins on the outer surface before the inner surface" not the answer?

The outer surface closes later than the inner one.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: cranial suture closure in Forensic Medicine. The timing varies a lot between individuals and between sutures, so it gives only a rough estimate of age.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Identification: cranial suture closure?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.