The human occipital bone: review and update on its embryology and molecular development.
BACKGROUND
The formation of the occipital bone is intricate and has been extensively studied with many controversial conclusions, but with minimal effort being focused on the genes and molecular interactions necessary for its formation. A better understanding of this bone of the calvarial and skull base may shed light on pathologies where the occiput is often considered the offending entity.


METHODS
A review of the germane medical literature using textbooks and standard search engines was performed to gather information about previous conclusions as it pertains to the embryology and ossification of the occipital bone.


RESULTS
The occipital bone has both membranous and cartilaginous origin with ossification occurring as early as week 9 of fetal gestation. Its formations is dependent on complex interacts between genes and molecules with pathologies resulting from disruption of this delicate process.


CONCLUSIONS
There has been much controversy in the past in regards to the development and ossification process necessary for occipital bone formation, which has only recently been clarified with documentation of the genes and molecular interactions necessary for its formation. Lastly, this improved knowledge might improve our understanding of such congenital derailments as the Chiari malformations.
Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.|Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.
Shenell
S
Bernard
Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.
Marios
M
Loukas
Neurological Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
Elias
E
Rizk
Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
Rod J
RJ
Oskouian
Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
Johnny
J
Delashaw
Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA. shane.tubbs@childrensal.org.
R Shane
RS
Tubbs
D006801:Humans; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D019291:Skull Base / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*
Anatomy; Cranium; Growth; Occiput; Posterior fossa; Skull