Abstract In fetal autopsies coronal clefts - a radiolucent band running through at least one vertebral body, visualized in the lateral spinal radiograph and discussed as a physiological variation of the fetal vertebral ossification pattern - are often found in fetuses with trisomies. Published studies are missing concerning the question whether this finding could serve as a diagnostic radiological or even ultrasonographic sign. We studied the incidence of radiological coronal clefts and their association with chromosomal aberrations in 443 fetuses (mainly medically induced abortions). In 42 of the 443 fetuses (9.5%) coronal clefts were visualized. The majority of these (71%) was localized in the lumbar spine. No cervical or singular sacral clefts were detected. 25 of the 42 fetuses (60%) displaying coronal clefts had chromosomal aberrations, either as trisomy (13 or 21) or monosomy X. Histologically, coronal clefts showed a missing central ossification of the vertebral body. Remnants of the notochord could be excluded. Hence, coronal clefts represent a variant ossification of vertebral bodies in fetal development, which is almost exclusively found in fetuses with chromosomal aberrations or severe congenital malformations. This finding could be a helpful supplement to prenatal diagnostics and fetal autopsy. On the other hand, the genetic diagnosis of chromosomal aberration, especially trisomy, does not automatically imply the presence of coronal clefts. Key words: Coronal clefts, chromosomal aberration, fetus, vertebral ossification, notochord, fetal.