Basilar part of occipital bone

The basilar part of the occipital bone is a thick, somewhat quadrilateral piece in front of the foramen magnum and directed towards the pharynx. This part of the occipital bone is also known as the basilar process or basilar portion.

Etymology

The term "basilar" is derived from the Latin word "basis", which means "base". The term "occipital" comes from the Latin "occiput" which means "back of the skull".

Anatomy

The basilar part of the occipital bone is located at the base of the skull. It articulates with the sphenoid bone at the spheno-occipital synchondrosis. This part of the bone is important for the attachment of several muscles, including the rectus capitis anterior muscle and the longus capitis muscle.

Development

The basilar part of the occipital bone is formed from the fusion of several smaller bones during development. This process, known as ossification, begins in the fetus and continues into adolescence. The basilar part is initially made of cartilage and gradually ossifies to become bone.

Clinical Significance

The basilar part of the occipital bone can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, basilar invagination is a condition where the top of the second cervical vertebra migrates upward into the foramen magnum, compressing the brainstem and upper spinal cord. This can lead to neurological symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and numbness.

Related Terms

• Foramen Magnum: The large opening in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes.
• Occipital Bone: The trapezoid-shaped bone found at the lower-back area of the cranium.
• Sphenoid Bone: The wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull.

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