THE OCCIPITAL BONE. 1 !) 



cave from side to side, and ascends from the foramen 

 magnum. It lodges the medulla oblongata. The 

 inferior surface is rough, for muscular attachment ; it 

 presents the pharyngeal spine, which is not, as a rule, 

 prominent, but affords attachment to the raphe of the 

 pharynx. At the sides of the anterior part of the 

 foramen magnum are small tubercles for the attachment 

 of the check ligaments. The inner aspect of the bone is 

 beveled as it approaches the foramen magnum, and pre- 



FIG. 7. OCCIPITAL BONE, INNER SURFACE. 



sents on each side the anterior condyloid or hypoglossal 

 foramen. The jugular process and a portion of the 

 inferior lateral border are grooved for the lateral sinus. 



The occipital bone develops by four centres, one for 

 the posterior part, one for each condyle, and one for the 

 basilar process ; these centres appear about the second 

 month. It belongs to the class of flat bones. At birth 

 it consists of four pieces, which ossify to form a single 

 bone about the sixth year. 



