OCCIPITALS Meaning and
Definition
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Occipitals refers to the occipital bones, which are a pair of flat, roughly trapezoidal bones located at the lower back part of the skull. These bones are situated at the posterior aspect of the cranium, forming the skull's posterior portion.
The occipital bones are joined together by a fibrous, immovable joint known as the occipital suture. They articulate with various other bones of the skull, including the parietal bones superiorly, the temporal bones laterally, and the sphenoid bone anteriorly. Additionally, they house the occipital lobe of the brain, which plays a crucial role in visual perception and processing.
The occipital bones have several notable features. The external surface contains a prominent midline structure known as the external occipital protuberance, which serves as an attachment point for ligaments and muscles. On either side of this protuberance are the superior and inferior nuchal lines, which also serve as attachment sites for muscles and ligaments of the neck. The internal surface of the occipital bones contains a large opening called the foramen magnum, which allows the brainstem to connect with the spinal cord.
Overall, the occipitals are a critical component of the skull, providing structural support, protection for the brain's occipital lobe, and important attachment points for various muscles and ligaments involved in head and neck movement.
Common Misspellings for OCCIPITALS
Etymology of OCCIPITALS
The word "occipitals" is derived from the Latin term "occipitālis", which is formed from the combination of "occiput" meaning "back of the head" and the suffix "-ālis" denoting "pertaining to". In anatomy, the occipitals refer to the occipital bone, which forms the posterior part of the skull.
