Occipita refers to the plural form of the word occiput, which is derived from Latin and used in anatomy to describe the posterior part of the skull or the back of the head. The occiput is located at the base of the cranium, just above the neck, and forms part of the cranium's posterior cranial fossa.
Occipita usually refers to the occipital bone, a singular component of the occiput. The occipital bone is one of the main bones of the skull, and it forms the lower back part of the cranium. It is responsible for covering and protecting the posterior part of the brain, including the cerebellum and the brainstem.
The occipital bone contains several prominent landmarks, including the occipital protuberance or external occipital protuberance, a bony prominence often used as a reference point during anatomical studies. Additionally, within the occipital bone, there is a large opening called the foramen magnum, through which the spinal cord passes from the brain to the spinal column.
Occipita, as a plural form, refers to multiple occipital bones or the collective occipital regions of several individuals. This term is commonly utilized in scientific or medical discussions, research papers, or textbooks, where precise anatomy references are necessary.
