Occipital bone

Occipital Bone

The Occipital Bone (/ɒkˈsɪpɪtəl/; from Latin occiput, meaning "back of the skull") is a cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the back of the skull. It is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself like a shallow dish.

Etymology

The term "occipital" is derived from the Latin occiput, which means "back of the skull". This term is a combination of ob, meaning "against" or "toward", and caput, meaning "head".

Structure

The occipital bone, like other cranial bones, is divided into two parts: the basilar part and the squamous part. The basilar part is fused with the sphenoid bone, while the squamous part is the large, curved, plate-like portion that forms the base of the skull.

The occipital bone features the foramen magnum, a large oval opening in its lower part that allows passage of the spinal cord from the brain. On either side of the foramen magnum are the occipital condyles, which articulate with the first cervical vertebra.

Function

The occipital bone provides structural support to the skull and protection to the brain. It also serves as an attachment point for several muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and splenius capitis muscles.

Related Terms

• Cranium
• Skull
• Foramen Magnum
• Sphenoid Bone
• Spinal Cord
• Brain
• Sternocleidomastoid
• Trapezius
• Splenius Capitis

See Also

• Human Skeleton
• Cranial Bones
• Neuroanatomy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Occipital bone
• Wikipedia's article - Occipital bone

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