part of overlaps develops from start stage end stage basioccipital Large median unpaired cartilage bone that contacts the exoccipital, epiotic and pterotic dorsally, and the parasphenoid anteriorly. Forms the posteroventral hind margin of the cranium, articulates with the centrum of the first vertebra. Bears a posteroventral pharyngeal process that is flattened ventrally and opposes the pharyngeal teeth of the fifth pair of ceratobranchials. TAO:0000472 zebrafish_anatomy ZFA:0000472 occipital region parachordal cartilage chondrocranium neurocranium endochondral bone basioccipital-exoccipital joint parasphenoid-basioccipital joint basioccipital-prootic joint unknown adult