Anatomy Bones The Anatomy of the Occipital Bone Skull Bone Protecting the Brain By Lana Barhum Lana Barhum Facebook LinkedIn Lana Barhum has been a freelance medical writer for over 10 years. She shares advice on living well with chronic disease. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 26, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH LinkedIn Elizabeth I. Molina Ortiz, MD, is board-certified in family medicine. She is a primary care provider with Atrius Health in Boston and was the medical director of Charles River Community Health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Treatment Frequently Asked Questions The occipital bone is the trapezoid-shaped bone at the lower-back of the cranium (skull). The occipital bone houses the back part of the brain and is one of seven bones that come together to form the skull. It is located next to five of the cranium bones. 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 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. It has many important functions, but its most important role is in protecting your brain. Anatomy 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. 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. Function 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. Associated Conditions When a person is born, their occipital bone is not completely hardened, and it takes up to six years for the hardening to fully complete. Any problems with the development of occipital bone can lead to health issues. For example, if the occipital bone is misaligned, this also causes misalignment of the spine, causing 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. This may include: Headaches, especially migraines Neck, shoulder, and back pain Balance and coordination problems Vision difficulties Lowered immune functioning Sensory processing disorders Nervous system problems 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 one of seven bones that make up the skull. 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 neckObliquus superior is used to rotate the headOccipitofrontalis controls the scalp, eyebrows, and foreheadRectus capitis anterior helps flex the head and neckRectus capitis lateralis is used to tilt the head from side to sideRectus capitis major is used to rotate and extend the headRectus capitis posterior minor is used to extend the headSemispinalis capitis is used in extension, flexion, and rotation Trapezius moves the head and shoulder blades Spinal Ligament Anatomy Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 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. Germann AM, Kashyap V. Anatomy, head and neck, occipital bone, artery, vein, and nerve. StatPearls Publishing. July 27, 2021.