Final answer:
Another name for the external occipital protuberance is the inion, found on the occipital bone at the back of the skull, serving as an attachment point for neck ligaments and muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another name for the external occipital protuberance is the inion. This small bump is located at the midline on the posterior part of the skull, and serves as an attachment site for a ligament of the posterior neck.
The external occipital protuberance is a feature of the occipital bone, which forms the posterior aspect of the skull and the base of the cranial cavity. This bony prominence functions as a crucial landmark for neck muscle attachment and is flanked laterally by the superior nuchal lines. These nuchal lines designate the highest point where neck muscles connect to the skull, extending laterally from the external occipital protuberance.
The occipital bone, apart from featuring the external occipital protuberance, also has a significant opening called the foramen magnum, allowing the spinal cord's passage as it exits the skull. Additionally, the occipital bone includes oval-shaped occipital condyles on either side of the foramen magnum. These condyles articulate with the first cervical vertebra, providing support for the skull on the vertebral column.