Cranial ridge

The cranial ridges, also referred to as exocranial ridges or cranial plates are bony plates on the surface of the forehead on many humanoid species. Some species, such as Humans, Vulcans, and the ancient humanoids do not possess visible cranial ridges.

Klingon-Human hybrids generally inherit cranial ridges from their Klingon parent, although they are less pronounced. 

In 2154, the Klingon augment virus, and the subsequent cure, caused many Klingons to lose their cranial ridges and become more like "Humans." This would be partially cured via cranial reconstruction. 

During the 23rd century of the alternate reality, helmets issued to the Klingon Defense Force gave all warriors the appearance of cranial ridges.

As a child, B'Elanna Torres was often mocked and joked at because of her Klingon-inherited cranial ridges. She was referred to by Daniel Byrd as "Miss Turtlehead." Partly because of this bullying, after she discovered she was pregnant, Torres attempted to resequence the DNA of her fetus in order to eliminate the genes that would manifest cranial ridges. However, she was convinced by her husband, Tom Paris, to abandon this effort. 

The Cytherian encountered by the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) in 2367 was fascinated by Worf's prominent cranial plate, among other things. 

In 2370 of an alternate timeline, Alexander Rozhenko made a plaster cast of his forehead cranial ridges as a birthday gift to his father, Worf, who received it with pride. 

When he de-evolved due to Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome, Worf's cranial plates thickened by 20%. 

Death is immediate for a Klingon if the cranial exoskeleton is shattered at the tricipital lobe. 

Ktarians have sharp exocranial ridges, which are also present in Ktarian-Human hybrids. If the mother is human, these ridges can cause a rare complication where they become lodged in the uterine wall, as was the case with Naomi Wildman's birth in 2372. 

Species with cranial ridges

 * Only Klingons have been stated to have "cranial ridges." The following species have been observed to have ridge-like structures, indicating bone, underneath their foreheads.
 * Abaddon's species
 * Abdon's species
 * Akritirian
 * Algolian
 * Allos' species
 * Andorian
 * Ankari
 * Annari
 * Antaran
 * Antarian
 * Antedean
 * Antican
 * Argrathi
 * Arkarian
 * Arkonian
 * Axanar
 * Axum's species
 * B'omar
 * Banean
 * Barzan
 * Benkaran
 * Benthan
 * Borothan
 * Boslic
 * Botha
 * Brunali
 * Caatati
 * Caldonian
 * Cardassian
 * Chalnoth
 * Chokuzan
 * Cytherian
 * Dala's species
 * Daliwakan
 * Dee'Ahn's species
 * Denobulan
 * Devore
 * Dralian
 * Dream species
 * El-Adrel IV lifeform
 * Elaysian
 * Emi's species
 * Entharan
 * Eska
 * Etanian
 * Fallit Kot's species
 * Fantome's species
 * Farian
 * Flaxian
 * Garan
 * Gosis' species
 * Grazerite
 * Haakonian
 * Hanon IV native
 * Hazari
 * Hekaran
 * Hirogen
 * Idanian
 * Ilari
 * Illyrian
 * Iyaaran
 * J'naii
 * Jarleth's species
 * Jem'Hadar
 * Kadi
 * Kago-Darr's species
 * Karemma
 * Kazon
 * Kesat
 * Kesprytt
 * Klingon
 * Kobliad
 * Kohl
 * Kolaati
 * Kolaran
 * Kolos' species
 * Kreetassan
 * Kressari
 * Krit's species
 * Ktarian
 * Larell's species
 * Ledosian
 * Lethean
 * Lokirrim
 * Malcorian
 * Malon
 * Markalian
 * Mintakan
 * Miradorn
 * Mislenite
 * Mizarian
 * Na'kuhl
 * Napean
 * Nara's species
 * Nasari
 * Nausicaan
 * Nezu
 * Night Alien
 * Nuvian
 * Nygean
 * Osaarian
 * Pakled
 * Pandronian
 * Parada
 * Pardshay's species
 * Peliar Zel native
 * Pendari
 * Pomet's species
 * Promellian
 * Qomar
 * R'Kaal
 * Rakhari
 * Rakosan
 * Retellian
 * Rigelian
 * Romulan
 * Sakari
 * Saowin's species
 * Sarda's species
 * Selay
 * Sky Spirit
 * Solanogen-based lifeform
 * Solari
 * Species 571
 * Species 6339
 * Species 8472
 * Species 10026
 * Swarm species
 * Tak Tak
 * Takaran
 * Talarian
 * Talaxian
 * Tamarian
 * Tanugan
 * Tarkalean
 * Tarlac
 * Tarquin's species
 * Tash's species
 * Telsian
 * Terrellian
 * Tessic's species
 * Tiburonian
 * Tilonian
 * Trabe
 * Tret's species
 * Turei
 * Tygarian
 * Uxali
 * V'radian
 * Vaadwaur
 * Valerian
 * Varn's species
 * Vaskan
 * Ventu
 * Vhnori
 * Vian
 * Vidiian
 * Voth
 * Wysanti
 * Xindi-Arboreal
 * Xindi-Primate
 * Xindi-Reptilian
 * Xyrillian
 * Yost's species
 * Yridian
 * Zahl
 * Zalkonian
 * Zaranite
 * Zolan's species

Background
During Star Trek productions, some aliens were introduced without ridges, but ridges were added in later productions. Some aliens this happened to include:
 * Romulans ( vs. )
 * Klingons ( vs. )
 * Andorians ( vs. )
 * Tiburonians ( vs. )