Sinciput

The cranial anomalies occurred either in the occiput or the sinciput, approximately twice as often in the occiput as in the sinciput. Such lesions have been considered to be inoperable when they involved the sinciput.

Between these two extremes lie the sinciput presentation and the brow presentation. Thus there are four distinct attitudes: vertex, sinciput, brow, and face (Figure 15-7).

I learnt to develop a ‘feel’ for the sinciput and the occiput as these landmarks feel different abdominally, and also their ‘whereabouts’ in relationship to the pelvic brim. Therefore, when descent and flexion were taking place, I learnt to ascertain how the positions of the sinciput and occiput would change in relationship to each other and in relationship to the pelvic brim.