Occipital

Occipitalis is a Latin expression derived from the word occipitum, translated as “back of the head.”

This term is used in medicine to refer to certain parts of the head and, in particular, the occipital bone. In Latin, “occipa” means “occipital part” or “back of the head”, and the word “colla” (col) means “neck”.

The occipital part of the skull is the back part of the head, located next to the cervical region. It covers most of the second vertebra of the neck and the upper part of the fifth vertebra. The occipital region of the skull includes several structures, including the occipital bone, spinous processes, and transverse processes of the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae. This area communicates with the cervical cerebrospinal fluid and is supplied by the vertebral artery.

In humans, this bone has three edges: outer (Latin margo lateralis), middle (Latin margini media - medial edge) and inner (Latin marginainner - inner edge). The posterior edge (m. marginasuspicatus - posterior edge) articulates with the sacrum. It is the widest part of the back of the head. With asymmetry of the foramen magnum, a person may experience frequent headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Depressive states are also often observed.