Dictionary
occipital bone
noun
Definition of OCCIPITAL BONE
: a compound bone that forms the posterior part of the skull and bears a condyle by which the skull articulates with the atlas
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First Known Use of OCCIPITAL BONE
1679
Medical Dictionary
occipital bone
noun
Medical Definition of OCCIPITAL BONE
: a compound bone that forms the posterior part of the skull and surrounds the foramen magnum, bears the condyles for articulation with the atlas, is composed of four united elements, is much curved and roughly trapezoidal in outline, ends in front of the foramen magnum in the basilar process, and bears on its external surface behind the foramen magnum the two curved transverse superior and inferior nuchal lines as well as the median external occipital crest and external occipital protuberance
Illustration of OCCIPITAL BONE
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