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Age-related morphological changes in the inner and outer surfaces of the squamous and parietomastoid sutures were examined in 65 skulls (35 male, 30 female) obtained from Japanese subjects 5–90 years of age at the time of death. Dimensions were measured in both the horizontal and sagittal planes. Wavelength analysis was done by three-dimensional construction. Irregularities were evaluated by calculating fractal dimensions. The outer squamous suture showed no significant age-related changes in size, but wavelength increased because of the development of bony interdigitations with aging. The posterior part of the outer squamous suture showed significant age-related increases in both wavelength (p < 0.01, R[sup 2] = 0.164) and fractal dimension (p < 0.01, R[sup 2] = 0.101) in males. The parietomastoid suture showed significant age-related changes in size (p < 0.05), but not in wavelength or fractal dimension. These distinct morphological changes found on both the inner and outer surfaces of the squamous and parietomastoid sutures suggest that the age-related morphological characteristics of these sutures are affected by extrinsic mechanical forces.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]