Occipital protuberance

Occipital Protuberance

The Occipital Protuberance is a prominent feature of the human skull, located at the posterior (back) part of the occipital bone. It is a significant point of attachment for several muscles and ligaments, playing a crucial role in head and neck movement.

Anatomy

The Occipital Protuberance is divided into two parts: the External Occipital Protuberance (EOP) and the Internal Occipital Protuberance (IOP). The EOP is a bony prominence on the outer surface of the occipital bone, while the IOP is located on the inner surface.

External Occipital Protuberance

The EOP is the point of attachment for the ligamentum nuchae, a large ligament that extends down the back of the neck. It also serves as the attachment point for several muscles, including the trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which are involved in head and neck movement.

Internal Occipital Protuberance

The IOP is located on the inner surface of the occipital bone, at the intersection of the grooves for the transverse sinuses and the superior sagittal sinus. It is a crucial landmark in neuroanatomy, as it marks the approximate location of the confluence of sinuses, where several major dural venous sinuses converge.

Clinical Significance

The Occipital Protuberance can be palpated (felt) on the back of the head, and is often used as a landmark in medical examinations. It can also be used to guide the placement of cervical collars in trauma patients. In some cases, an enlarged or prominent Occipital Protuberance may be associated with certain medical conditions, such as Osteoarthritis or Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH).

See Also

• Occipital bone
• Human skull
• Ligamentum nuchae
• Trapezius muscle
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Confluence of sinuses