Occipital crest

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Occipital Crest is a prominent anatomical feature located on the human skull. It is also known as the external occipital crest or inion and is part of the occipital bone.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The occipital crest is a ridge that extends downward from the external occipital protuberance on the back of the skull. It serves as an attachment point for several muscles, including the trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. These muscles are involved in movements of the head and neck.

The occipital crest is more pronounced in males than in females, which is a characteristic often used in forensic anthropology to determine the sex of skeletal remains.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Due to its location and the muscles attached to it, the occipital crest can be involved in various medical conditions. For example, tension in the muscles attached to the occipital crest can lead to tension headaches. In addition, fractures of the occipital bone can involve the occipital crest and may lead to serious complications, such as brain injury.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD