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The interactive dog atlas · Skeleton · Head

External occipital protuberance protuberantia occipitalis externa

The occipital protuberance is the rearmost point of the skull, at the nape; it is easily felt under the skin. In the dog it corresponds to the highest point of the skull.

Open in the interactive atlas Guide: Skeleton Worksheet

Educational material, not a diagnostic tool. Written by the Mantrailing România team from veterinary sources we read. Updated 14.11.2026.

Dog in left lateral view — exterior, muscles, skeleton and organs Vector study after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates: a standing dog, head to the left, deep chest and digitigrade limbs. The four layers use the same contour: exterior with body regions, superficial muscles, skeleton and organs.
External occipital protuberance on the atlas drawing, "Skeleton" layer. Left lateral view, after the Ellenberger, Baum and Dittrich plates.

Where it is

The rearmost point of the skull, at the nape; easily felt under the skin.

System
Axial skeleton
Region
Head

What it is and what it does

A median prominence at the junction of the interparietal bone with the occipital bone; in the dog and the horse it corresponds to the highest point of the skull. The nuchal crest is its transverse extension. A palpable landmark used when measuring the length of the skull.

Worth remembering

It is the landmark from which the length of the skull is measured.

Names

  • Latin term: protuberantia occipitalis externa.
  • In Romanian: Protuberanța occipitală externă (Romanian page).

Guides it appears in

From the same region: Head

All structures, in the atlas · Flashcards: skeleton