Vertex

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

The vertex is an anatomical landmark on the skull.

Definition

The vertex is defined as the highest point of the skull's convexity.

Clinical Relevance

The vertex is an external anatomical landmark on the skullcap and serves as an orientation aid in neurosurgery for planning a surgical approach. Traumatic epidural hematomas can, in rare cases, also lie directly beneath the vertex, which often makes diagnosis difficult due to axial CT layering[^1].

Illustration

Vertex on the skull
Marking (red circle) of the vertex on a 3D model of the skull.