The occipital bone forms the posterior and inferior parts of the skull.
Description
The occipital bone is a singular, trapezoidal-shaped bone with a large, characteristic opening known as the foramen magnum (Latin for great hole).
- It has 2 surfaces (outer, and inner), 4 angles (two lateral, superior, and inferior) and 2 borders (superior, and inferior).
- It is formed by 4 parts (two lateral, squamous, and basilar) described based on their orientation with the foramen magnum.
Part | Relationship with the foramen magnum |
---|---|
Two lateral parts | Lateral, to its sides |
Squamous part | Posterior to it |
Basilar part | Anterior to it |
- The squamous and lateral parts form the posterior part of the base of the skull.
- The basilar part is