Description
The external occipital crest (median nuchal line) is the ridge found along the external aspect of the squamous part of occipital bone. It extends anteroinferiorly, along the midline, from the external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum. The inferior nuchal lines extend laterally from the middle of the external occipital crest.
The external occipital crest divides the nuchal plane into right and left halves and provides an attachment site for the nuchal ligament.
Related parts of the anatomy
