Abstract： Objective To develop a child craniofacial three-dimensional(3D) finite element model (FEM) with sutures defined alone.Methods The CT data for this study was developed from sequential computed tomography scan images taken at 0.625 mm intervals of an 8 years children skull.Data set was imported into Mimics 10.0 and processed with Geomagic 9.0,and exported as initial graphics exchange specification(IGES) files.The IGES files were then imported into Ansys 13.0 to set up two FEM with or without the median palatine suture being opened.The FEM contained nine craniofacial sutures and eight teeth which were defined alone.For simulating orthopedic maxillary protraction,three forces(F1-F2) were loaded on FEM.F1 (1 N) was loaded at 1 cm above the geison.F2(1 N) was loaded at articular fossa of temporal bone.F3(2 N) was directed anteriorly and paralleled with occlusal plane near the canine.The stress distribution and the values distributed in each point gained in the two models were compared.Results Two craniofacial 3D FEM of the child were developed with the median palatine suture opened or not.With median palatine suture being opened or not,the two models showed the similar von Mises stresses(VMS).The distribution of the VMS was in the bridge of the nose and dextro-ala nasi.When the median palatine suture was opened,the max VMS value was 18916.00 × 10-4 MPa which appeared in the nose point and the min VMS value was 1.61 × 10-4 MPa which appeared in the maxillary central incisor point.At the same time,the max stress value at the direction Y was-3985.30 × 10-4 MPa and appeared in the frontomaxillary suture point,and the min Y value was 0.08 × 10-4 MPa which appeared in the maxillary central incisor point.When the median palatine suture was not opened,the max VMS value was 19 244.00 × 10 4 MPa and appeared in the nose point.The min VMS value was 1.62 × 10-4 MPa and appeared in the maxillary central incisor point.At the same time,the max stress value at the direction Y was-4258.20 × 10-4 MPa and appeared in the frontomaxillary suture point,and the min Y value was 0.08 × 10-4 MPa which appeared in the maxillarv central incisor point.Conclusions To define the sutures as entities alone contributed to develop child craniofacial 3D FEM which consist nine sutures.There was tiny difference in stress distribution in both the VMS and in Y direction with the median palatine suture being opened or not.