The occipital bone is one of four main ones that form the cranium, the others being the frontal bone and the two parietal bones. The occipital bone lies at the back of the skull and meets the parietals at the lamboid suture.

 

Occipital condyle

The occipital condyle is one of a pair of bony knobs which protrude from the occipital bone and articulate with the first cervical vertebra (the atlas). The occipital condyles lie on either side of the foramen magnum.