External occipital crest
Crista occipitalis externa
Definition
The external occipital crest is a bony ridge found on the outer surface of the squamous part of the occipital bone. It runs along the midline, starting from the external occipital protuberance and stretching downward to the posterior edge of the foramen magnum. Together with the external occipital protuberance, the external occipital crest provides a point of attachment for the nuchal ligament in the neck.
References
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 8: Head and Neck’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 816-817.
