Bony landmark · Head

External occipital protuberance

Protuberantia occipitalis externa

The external occipital protuberance is the bump you can find in the midline at the back of the skull, level with the top of the ears. The upper trapezius takes origin here, and the nuchal ligament — the tough sheet that runs down the midline of the back of the neck — anchors to it, so it is the top of the line that holds the head up from behind.