What is the function of occipital condyles?

The occipital condyles are paired kidney-shaped structures that form the base of the occipital bone and are the structural bases for the articulation of the skull with the cervical spine.

Can the occipital bone move?

The occiput and the mastoid part of the temporal bone normally move in opposing directions to each other: in the inspiration phase the border of the occiput moves in an anterior direction, while the border of the mastoid part slides posterior.

What does occipital mean in anatomy?

The occipital bone is the trapezoid-shaped bone at the lower-back of the cranium (skull). The occipital bone houses the back part of the brain and is one of seven bones that come together to form the skull.

What do the occipital condyles articulate with?

Context: The occipital condyles of the skull articulate with the superior articular facets of the atlas vertebra and form an important junction between the cranium and the vertebral column.

What movement occurs at the occipital condyles?

The occipital condyles roll backwards and glide anteriorly on the atlantal facets, closing the space between the occipital bone and the posterior arch of the atlas. Approximation of the occipital bone, the atlas and the axis limits the extension range of motion to approximately 10°.

Can you feel occipital bone?

The bony skull bump — known as an external occipital protuberance — is sometimes so large, you can feel it by pressing your fingers on the base of your skull.

Why is my occipital bone flat?

At the base of skull in the occipital bone, there is a large oval opening called the foramen magnum, which allows the passage of the spinal cord. Like the other cranial bones, it is classed as a flat bone. Due to its many attachments and features, the occipital bone is described in terms of separate parts.

What are the features of the occipital bone?

The occipital bone (/ˌɒkˈsɪpɪtəl/) is a cranial dermal bone and the main bone of the occiput (back and lower part of the skull). It is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself like a shallow dish. The occipital bone overlies the occipital lobes of the cerebrum.

What is the bone behind your head?

The occipital bone is a bone that covers the back of your head; an area called the occiput. The occipital bone is the only bone in your head that connects with your cervical spine (neck).

Which of the following consist of a circle of bone and articulates superiorly with the occipital condyles?

25 Cards in this Set

27) Thickest body (centrum) with short blunt spinous processes. a) lumbar vertebrae
28) Fused rudimentary tailbone. b) coccyx
29) A circle of bone that articulates superiorly with the occipital condyles. c) atlas
30) These bones have articular facets for the ribs. d) thoracic vertebrae

Does the Dens articulate with the occipital bone?

The dens articulates with the occipital bone. Costal cartilages join most ribs to the sternum. Bones of the skull are separated by immobile joints called sutures.

What movement does the atlas and axis allow at the head?

rotation movements
The atlas and axis are specialized to allow a greater range of motion than normal vertebrae. They are responsible for the nodding and rotation movements of the head. The atlanto-occipital joint allows the head to nod up and down on the vertebral column.

What is occipitocervical fixation?

Occipitocervical fixation (OCF) is a maximally invasive surgical technique that results in significant loss of flexion, extension, and rotation.

How is a cervical fusion of the occipital bone performed?

A routine midline skin incision is made to access the occipital bone and the vertebral levels to be included in the fusion ( Fig. 38-2 ). Dissection proceeds to expose a 5- to 6-cm width of the occipital bone and foramen magnum.

What is the initial Neurologic evaluation of occipital condyle fractures?

The initial neurologic evaluation of patients presenting with occipital condyle fractures is often confounded by a concomitant head injury. Other patients can become symptomatic with neurologic injury or just neck pain. CT of the cervical spine is critical in diagnosing these fractures, which are often missed on plain radiographic imaging.

How is the patient positioned for an occipitocervical fusion (OCF)?

The occiput, neck, upper thoracic, and infrascapular region should be prepared in sterile fashion for a midline incision and harvest of a rib graft. For occipitocervical fusion the patient is placed in the prone position with the head secured in the Mayfield skull clamp. The head should be placed in the neutral to slightly flexed position.