The occipital bone can be seen to articulate with the temporal bones laterally, as well as with the sphenoid bone anteriorly via its basilar part. The occipital condyles project inferiorly and articulate with the lateral masses of the first cervical vertebrae (atlas).

The occipital bone is a flat, unpaired bone that forms a major part of the posterior wall and base of the skull. It is a complex structure that protects the cerebellum and occipital lobes of the cerebrum and provides attachment to several muscles and ligaments.

The pharyngeal tubercle can be identified from the inferior surface of the basilar part of the occipital bone. The lateral parts: Located lateral to the foramen magnum and are composed of two occipital condyles.

A fractured occipital bone can be from accidents and injuries. Antibiotics or surgery might be needed if there are skin breaks or deep indentations in the bone. Fractures at the base of the occipital bone need to be closely watched for signs of nerve damage and/or meningitis.

The occipital bone overlies the occipital lobe of the brain (which contains the primary visual cortex), and forms joints with the parietal bones superiorly and the temporal bones laterally. The bone forms two condyles at its inferior surface for articulating with the Atlas vertebrae.