Lateral part of occipital bone

The lateral parts of occipital bone are located on either side of the foramen magnum, extending forward and inward to converge with its basilar segment. On the outer edge of each lateral part, there’s an irregular bony margin called the jugular notch, forming the occipital aspect of the jugular foramen. Moving down from this foramen towards the foramen magnum, one encounters an additional conduit, the hypoglossal canal. This bony channel facilitates the passage of the hypoglossal nerve, allowing it to innervate the tongue muscles.

Moreover, beneath these lateral parts of occipital bone, one can identify two bony outgrowths referred to the occipital condyles. These condyles attach to the superior facets of the atlas vertebrae through the atlantooccipital joint, connecting the skull to the vertebral column.