Occipital condyle
Condylus occipitalis
Definition
The occipital condyle is a paired bony protuberance located on the caudoventral surface of the occipital bone, on either side of the foramen magnum.
It has a smooth, convex surface covered with hyaline cartilage, designed to articulate with the cranial articular fovea of the atlas (first cervical vertebra), thus forming the atlantooccipital joint. This joint mainly allows flexion and extension movements of the head, as well as limited lateral tilting.
Its shape, orientation, and degree of separation from the occipital condyles vary between species, reflecting functional adaptations related to posture and head mobility.
References
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 1, Ostéologie, 5th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
König HE, Lieibich HG. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic mammals, 6th edition, Schattauer, Stuttgart, 2014.
