Anatomy Bones The Anatomy of the Occipital Bone Bone at the back of the skull that protects the brain By Lana Barhum Lana Barhum Facebook LinkedIn Lana Barhum has been a freelance medical writer for over 14 years. She shares advice on living well with chronic disease. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD LinkedIn Jenny Sweigard, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She is an in-patient physician at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center in North Carolina. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Function of the Occipital Bone Occipital Bone Parts Conditions Treatment Frequently Asked Questions The occipital bone is the trapezoid-shaped bone that houses the back part of the brain. Located at the lower-back of the cranium, the occipital bone is one of seven bones that come together to form your skull. As a person ages, their occipital bones will fuse to the other bones of their skull. Your sphenoid bone, which is located in the middle of your skull, will fuse with the occipital bone between the ages of 18 and 25. Then, between the ages of 26 and 40, the parietal bones at the top of your head and the occipital bone will fuse together. At the base of your skull there is a large oval opening in the occipital bone that is called the foramen magnum. This opening allows for passage of the spinal cord. The occipital bone is the only cranial bone to connect to the cervical spine. The occipital bone has many important functions, but its most important role is in protecting your brain. Function of the Occipital Bone The occipital bone has a variety of functions. The most important role it plays is in protecting your brain. Specifically, it protects the brain’s visual processing center. It also acts as the connecting pathway from the brain to the spine. As the occipital bone connects with the first vertebra—the area called the atlas—it forms the atlantooccipital joint. This junction helps you to nod and shake your head throughout the day. The atlas is also the direct link between the spine and skull. Because of its location, the occipital bone affects all your body’s movements, as well as your flexibility, stability, and balance. It also plays a part in your ability to see and interact with the world. Occipital Bone Parts Like other bones in your skull, the occipital bone is flat, and it has many attachments and features, which is why it is often described in parts. Foramen Magnum The foramen magnum is curved externally and hollow inside. It is the passageway of the central nervous system through the skull that connects the brain to the spinal cord. The structures that pass through the foramen magnum are: Brainstem, also called the medulla oblongata Spinal branch of your accessory nerve, the nerve that provides motor function to your neck, shoulders, and back Anterior and posterior spinal arteries Vertebral artery Spinal nerves The foramen magnum is divided into four parts: one basilar part, two condylar parts, and a squamous part. All these four are part of the opening of the foramen magnum. Basilar Part The basilar part is at the front of the foramen magnum and sits next to the dense area of the temporal bone of your skull surrounding the inner ear. Towards the front, the basilar part fuses to the sphenoid bone to form the tribasilar bone during puberty. The pharyngeal tubercle leading to the pharynx (airway) is found on the lower surface of the basilar part. Condylar Parts The two condylar parts are located adjacent to the foramen magnum. They are oval-shaped and connect to the first cervical vertebra. Next to them are the condylar canals where the condylar emissary veins connect the external vertebral venous plexuses to the sigmoid sinuses. The hypoglossal nerve (the 12th cranial nerve) spears through the condylar part of the occipital bone. Squamous Part The squamous part of the largest part of the occipital bone. It is situated above and behind the foramen magnum and curved downward on each side. There are two curved lines on each side: the highest nuchal line and the superior nuchal line. There is also a middle line running through the nuchal plane called the inferior nuchal line. The nuchal plane is rough and irregular to attach to several muscles, including the muscles of the head and neck. The internal surface of the squamous part is bowl-shaped and divided into four depressions of the cruciform eminence. The two upper depressions are triangular-shaped and embed the occipital lobes of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. The lower two depressions are rectangular and contain the hemispheres of the cerebellum, the part of the brain that receives information. Along this internal surface of the occipital bone, there is a point of intersection of the four divisions of the cruciform eminence. This point is called the internal occipital protuberance and runs from the superior angle of the bone to a deep grove, called the sagittal sulcus, which hides part of the superior sagittal sinus and is attached to the falx cerebri. Can You Feel the Occipital Bone? The external occipital protuberance is a slight bump located at the back of your skull, just above your neck. Some people, especially males, may report an enlarged one that can be felt. This is called an occipital spur or occipital knob (or sometimes, a "knowledge bump"). A large occipital protuberance is considered normal, though people who experience pain related to an occipital spur may choose to have it reduced surgically. The superior sagittal sinus allows blood to drain from the adjacent parts of the anterior hemisphere to the sinuses. At the upper part is the internal occipital crest, which houses the transverse sinuses. The union of the transverse and sagittal sinuses— the confluence of the sinuses—is indicated by a depression on either side of the protuberance. Associated Conditions Any problems with the development of occipital bone can lead to health issues. For example, if the occipital bone is misaligned, this misaligns the spine and causes pain. The occipital bone is sensitive to the birthing process and in some instances can become injured or damaged during childbirth. The occipital bone can also be affected by other traumas or injuries, such as automobile accidents, sports injuries, and falls, resulting in mental health or chronic health problems. When the occipital bone is functioning or moving incorrectly, a number of mental and physical health problems may develop. These may include problems with sensory processing, pain in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, or back, and lowered immune function. Some other examples of problems that may be related to the occipital bone include vision problems, headaches, and dizziness/balance problems. Vision Problems Damage to the occipital bone, such as a fracture, can lead to vision problems or even blindness. Similarly, defects in the occipital bone can also cause severe problems with vision. An example of a condition caused by a defect in the occipital bone is the genetic condition Knobloch syndrome, in which a defect in the occipital bone causes severe nearsightedness or blindness. Headaches Occipital migraines are moderate to severe headaches felt in the back of the head. The cause of this type of headache isn't well understood. Problems with the occipital bone can cause other types of headaches. A malformation of the occipital bone is also associated with Chiari malformation, a rare condition where part of the brain protrudes through the opening in the occipital bone. This condition can cause a number of symptoms, including occipital headache. Rarely, benign bone cysts can form in the occipital bone, which can cause headaches. These cysts can usually be removed surgically. Dizziness and Balance Problems A condition known as occipital neuralgia may occur after an accident involving an impact to the back of the head. This condition can cause occipital pain similar to an occipital migraine, but it can also lead to other symptoms such as vertigo and sensitivity to light. Occipital neuralgia may also lead to neck pain and difficulty with balance and coordination. Treatment As your brain’s protector, your occipital bone plays an important role in your overall health and life quality. It is, therefore, important to investigate the cause of head and spine symptoms you may be experiencing, especially pain and problems with function and movement. Your healthcare provider can recommend a variety of treatments, from medications to physical therapy and surgery. Physical therapy can correct misalignment and help manage pain. It may also restore function and correct body movement. Frequently Asked Questions Where is the occipital bone located? The occipital bone is located at the lower back of the head. It connects to the spine and five of the other bones in the cranium. What is the purpose of the occipital bone? The occipital bone is a flat bone on the back of the head. Its primary function is to protect the brain and support the muscles of the neck. What muscles are attached to the occipital bone? Muscles attached to the occipital bone include: Longus capitis (helps to flex the head and neck)Obliquus superior (used to rotate the head)Occipitofrontalis (controls the scalp, eyebrows, and forehead)Rectus capitis anterior (helps flex the head and neck)Rectus capitis lateralis (used to tilt the head from side to side)Rectus capitis major (used to rotate and extend the head)Rectus capitis posterior minor (used to extend the head)Semispinalis capitis (used in extension, flexion, and rotation)Trapezius (moves the head and shoulder blades) What happens if you fracture your occipital bone? If there is no neurological damage, extensive treatment usually isn't required. Antibiotics or surgery may be needed if there are skin breaks or deep indentations. Fractures at the base of the occipital bone require observation for signs of nerve damage and/or meningitis. If a traumatic brain injury is also present, permanent neurological damage or even death can occur without treatment. Learn More: Symptoms of Brain Injury Spinal Ligament Anatomy 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Healy J, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Foramen Magnum. StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan. Varghese E Dr, Samson RS Dr, Kumbargere SN Dr, Pothen M Dr. Occipital spur: understanding a normal yet symptomatic variant from orthodontic diagnostic lateral cephalogram. BMJ Case Rep. 2017:bcr2017220506. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-220506 National Library of Medicine. Knobloch syndrome. Baldelli I, Mangialardi ML, Salgarello M, Raposio E. Peripheral occipital nerve decompression surgery in migraine headache. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(10). doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003019 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Chiari malformations. Germann AM, Kashyap V. Anatomy, head and neck, occipital bone, artery, vein, and nerve. StatPearls Publishing. July 27, 2021. By Lana Barhum Lana Barhum has been a freelance medical writer since 2009. She shares advice on living well with chronic disease. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit