National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Practice Exam

The statement that the occipital bone is located at the base of the skull is accurate because the occipital bone forms the posterior portion and most of the base of the cranium. This position is crucial for protecting the brain and providing structural support to the skull. The occipital bone also features the foramen magnum, which allows the spinal cord to connect with the brain, emphasizing its role in the cranial anatomy.

In addition to its location, the occipital bone does interact with several other bones, making statements about it having no articulation or articulating with the frontal bone inaccurate. The attachment for neck muscles, while present, is not the defining feature of its anatomical position within the skull compared to its placement at the base. Understanding the location of the occipital bone helps in grasping its structural and functional significance in relation to the entire skull and cervical spine.