Alligator Supraoccipital

The supraoccipital is a midline element of the occipital region of the skull. It bears large, paired external occipital protuberances which are attachment sites for epaxial muscles. The dorsolateral edge of the element forms part of the boundary of the posttemporal fenestra, through which occipital veins pass. In some crocodilians other than Alligator, the supraoccipital has a small exposure on the skull roof.