a. and sb. [f. Gr. ἔξω (see EXO-) + L. occipit-, occiput the back of the head + -AL.]

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  A.  adj. That is outside the occipital bone.

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1847.  Todd, Cycl. Anat., III. 308/1. The groove between the occipital condyle and the exoccipital process.

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1869.  Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc., XI. 577. The great extent of the exoccipital element.

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  B.  sb. pl. Those parts of the occipital bone that form the sides of the foramen magnum and support the condyles. Cf. CONDYLE 2.

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1854.  Owen, in Circ. Sc. (c. 1865), II. 59/1. The exoccipitals … are very irregular subtriangular bones. Ibid. (1855), Skel. & Teeth, 26. The two condyles being developed from the two exoccipitals.

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1881.  Mivart, Cat, 61. Each ex-occipital supports one of the condyles before noticed.

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