Skull Lumps or Protrusions

Girl who is worried about a lump on her skull
Photo: Ivan Galashchuk/Shutterstock
Q: Do people often have lumps or protrusions on their skull? My wife has a couple of small protrusions in the crown area. You can't see them (only feel them), but it worries her. Have you seen it before?
 
A: Actually, they are very common. Human skulls vary much more than most people realize. Just as we all have different facial features, we also have unique skull shapes, contours, and natural ridges.
 
In most cases, these small protrusions are simply natural variations in how a person's skull developed. I knew a young man in high school who literally had a "squared" head. There were distinct corners along the top of his skull (they were rounded, but they were corners nonetheless). This was simply his natural anatomy, and he had never experienced any head injuries.
 
Some people with closely shaved heads have skull contours that are clearly visible, while others have skulls that appear perfectly smooth. Neither is unusual. In fact, if you were to compare the tops of several people's heads by touch, you would find that very few are completely smooth.
 
Although the skull feels like one solid piece of bone, it is actually made up of 22 different bones: 14 of which make up the face, and 8 of which form the upper and back portions of the skull (known as the cranium). During infancy and childhood, these cranial bones are connected by fibrous joints called sutures. As we grow, these bones fuse together, but the lines where they met often remain as subtle, natural ridges or raised areas.
 
The bones of the human skull
 
There are also a number of completely normal bony landmarks on the skull that can feel like lumps. Small muscle attachment points, natural variations in bone thickness, and slightly more prominent ridges near the back or top of the skull can easily be mistaken for something abnormal when they are actually part of a healthy skeleton. Most people simply never notice them unless they happen to run their fingers over the area, change their hairstyle, or have someone else point them out.
 
It is also worth noting that many "skull bumps" don't actually come from the bone itself. The scalp is thick and contains hair follicles, oil glands, connective tissue, and fat - all of which can develop harmless, benign growths. The most common culprit on the scalp is a pilar cyst (a smooth, fluid-filled bump originating from hair follicles), though other benign growths like lipomas (small, soft fatty masses) or epidermoid cysts are also very common.
 
In your wife's case, she may have had these small, harmless protrusions her entire life without ever realizing they were there. It is incredibly common for people to suddenly discover a long-standing bump simply because of a new haircut or a passing touch.
 
However, as a general rule, if these protrusions are brand new, seem to be growing, become painful or tender, or are accompanied by other symptoms, they should be evaluated by a doctor. While the vast majority of lumps found on the head are entirely harmless, any changing or unexplained bump deserves a professional medical examination just to be safe.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Scalp problems
 
Anatomy of the head for hairdressing
 
Hairstyle for when the back of your skull is flat