In the vault hold, which finger is placed on the squamous portion of the occiput?

• A. Thumb
• B. Index
• C. Ring
• D. Pinky

Answer: (D)

In the vault hold, the aim is to cradle the skull so you can sense the subtle rhythms of the cranial bones and the membranes they’re attached to. The squamous portion of the occiput is the broad, flat back part of the skull. Placing the pinky finger on this area gives you a stable, sensitive contact point on the posterior cranial vault, which is ideal for picking up the small movements associated with the cranial rhythmic impulse. The other fingers work around it to monitor the rest of the vault, but the pinky’s position on the occipital squama helps anchor and sense the posterior motion without crowding the other contacts.